Who's Not Recycling?

A friend and fellow blogger of mine recently posted a note on this topic. Because this was the third discussion of it's kind that I've heard of in the last week-I've decided it was something to hit on. The truth is that I don't like being an over-the-top talker on all things green, and this is one of them. My beliefs are deeply rooted here, but there are many other topics worthy of discussion..and more up to date in terms of this department.

So allow me to be frank. Recycling is made very SIMPLE for most of us. If you are not recycling-you should be. In fact unless you are one of those people still LITTERING, if anyone still does that anymore, you are smart enough to be held accountable to recycle.

Here's a bonus-if you have children, this can be an area they will likely be glad become director of, and will employ other fellow friends with this great responsibility in their own households. There are many ways to creatively cultivate this practice in your home and neighborhood. In the mean time, please recycle.

Get a bin here

Get information here

Printable guide to show you what to, and not to recycle.

Swirl, Sniff, Sip

Much to my surprise, I have recently come to really enjoy wine! I know, I know...I'm behind the time on this finding. While there are many of you out there who have been enjoying this wonderful dink for some time, I on the other hand-am a newbie .

Until now, I have never been one to find much enjoyment in any alcoholic beverage, and I HAVE tried. After some recent tastings/tutorials however, my perspective in this category has shifted thanks to a couple of fantastic vineyards that I believe to be dong a really great thing. Yes, their wine is tantalizing, but their story-even better. For me, that's what does it. I admit, I am a consumer with high expectations (as my husband states, I think everything I purchase should come packaged in a life-enriching experience). Doesn't everyone?

On that note, coming to know the story behind each bottle and the way that the numerous elements of the region along with the enduring practices of the farmers come together to give each wine a specific personality, is impressive to say the least. In fact, a recent tasting of some wines from a great vineyard has really spiked my interest in the offerings of alcoholic beverages. Their story gives them substance and depth and really spikes my desire to indulge-if for nothing else to hear fantastic story of how the present glass came to be.

So now I look forward to the next occasion that lends itself to SWIRL, SNIFF and SIP. I feel blessed to consume the harvest of those who have a love for their craft as well as the land. For me, this purchase is certainly one that comes packed in a life-enriching experience!

This Vineyard is one I was recently impressed by-see for yourself why!

I really enjoyed this Syrah.

Roasted Root Vegetables

Yield
6 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)


Ingredients
3 cups coarsely chopped sweet potatoes (about 1 lg yam)
3 cups coarsely chopped parsnip (about 1 pound)
1 3/4 cups coarsely chopped peeled turnips (about 1/2 pound)
2 Tbsp olive oil

1Tbsp minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 medium onion cut into 8 wedges
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper


Preparation
Preheat oven to 450°.
Combine first 7 ingredients in a shallow roasting pan; toss well. Bake at 450° for 1 hour, stirring after 30 minutes. Add rosemary, cayenne pepper, and vinegar, tossing to coat.

Save Some Cheese

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/coupons

http://www.ecovercoupons.com/

Acoustic Tunes

Life is made better with music! There's something about music that inspires me to re-connect with the things in life that really matter. My life has a soundtrack. Does yours?

Check out a couple of my fav's...

Indie Arie
Third Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzMrcHYziI4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsD6uEZsIsU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTv24sSNXHc

Local Foodie

By nature, I am homegrown...through blessed exposure and undeniable enjoyment, I am a self-proclaimed FOODIE! For the locally starved epicure, here are a few must-dine spots!

http://www.wokinmotion.com/

http://www.flyingmango.com/

http://www.azaleadsm.com/

http://www.thecafeames.com/

Locally Gown

Some local org's worth supporting-and very tasty!

http://www.practicalfarmers.org/

http://www.wallacefarms.com/

http://www.picketfencecreamery.net/

http://www.buylocalpa.org/

http://www.thehomestead.org/general.htm

Seasonaly Infused Stillness

This winter, much like a child anxious to arrive after a long drive, I find myself muttering, "are we there yet?"

Putting aside the wellness consultant ego, I'll be honest. I can feel the absence of the sunshine taking it's toll on my energy levels, (and it doesn't help that each time I look out back window I am reminded of just how much WINTER we have left by the way the snow has caved in our outdoor canopy top). With this said, I have found myself feeling a bit anxious and ready for change...or something. So I decide it was time to put to good use some of the tools that I have spent much of my time consulting others to do in their personal wellness journey.

In doing so, I am reminded of something I read in a past issue of Body and Soul that really spoke to my soul loud and clear. The lesson: winter , though not as vibrant in terms of energy as summer, is quite valuable if we allow it to serve as an opportunity to slow the pace while it reminds us of what it is to just BE. Much like we witness in nature, there is a check-and-balance offering this season has to lend to our lives if we only we allow it to.

So, how do we do this? Just BE... be what right? STILL.... this has proven to be quite challenging for me this season. However, the reality of this is that my unsettled mind has proven to be unsuccessful in discovering anything. It has only sought, and sought...and sought until I was finally willing to surrender to stillness. Almost instantly I am reminded that amongst stillness lies this beautiful intermission in life where we have the ability to reflect inward and connect to our source almost effortlessly. So today I would like to guide you to a suggestion that has offered me great resolve-stop trying to be the producer or creator, rather, allow yourself to surrender and just BE. Here, in this state, we receive the very guidance needed to fill that anxious space with answers far more productive or creative than we can ever be alone. So, my intention for you is to do as I have done-after much searching...use the season as a reminder to be still and turn inward where truth and answers for our life really reside.

Soulful Soak

A bath worth indulging in! Keep this simple by gathering a few tea light candles, some of your favorite tunes and infusing a hot drawn bath with the following. You are sure to enjoy this one!

Ingredients

2 cups Epsom Salt
3 Tbsp baking soda (helps neutralize chlorine in water)
3 drops of Lavender essential oil

Clean Living

So this is probably not a discussion that needs to be had at great length. It's time to be a conscious consumers of home cleaning products. Achieving a clean home should not mean contributing to the destruction of this planet or our bodies. It's like this: I like to travel and enjoy nature, if you do to, this is a compartment of your life that needs examined in order to continue to help make this possible. 1). You have to stay in good health. 2). Nature has to exist. Simple right!

So, after some extensive trail and error consumerism on green-inspired products I have some findings....NOT all alternative products are created EQUAL. But don't be deterred, there are products in this category that can perform. Here is a list of products that I feel deserve attention.

FABRIC SOFTENER (find @ Campbell's)
http://www.ecover.com/us/en/About/

LAUNDRY DETERGENT I have come to love! White flower & bergmont citrus scented and best of all-it's formula is , "he" or front load friendly. (find @ Hy-vee health food section & Campbell's)
http://www.seventhgeneration.com/Laundry-Detergent
http://www.seventhgeneration.com/coupons

Mrs.Meyers Basil scented Counter Top Spray is one you will actually enjoy (but good old vodka is what I trust for the jobs that call for serious disinfecting of my counters...ie. meat contamination)(find @ Target)http://www.mrsmeyers.com/Default.aspxgclid=CM3vgoDU65gCFSQhDQoddlcM0g&gclid=CM3vgoDU65gCFSQhDQoddlcM0g

TUB & TILE ( find @ Campbell's) http://chemfreesolutions.com/tubntile.htm

WOOD FLOORS (find @ target) http://www.methodhome.com/#/carousel/omop%20floor%20care

Lavender DISH SOAP (find @ Target) http://www.seventhgeneration.com/Dishwashing-Soap