A Perfect Family Day

More than one year later, my husband and I are still trying to figure out how to balance family time and personal time. Today was a perfect day. We balanced family time and personal time very well. We even enjoyed a homemade meal on the breezeway patio!

Local Strawberry Picking
Family time (with extended family).

Plant Shopping
My personal time.

Homemade Grilled Pizzas
With homemade pizza crust and a dessert pizza using the freshly picked strawberries from this morning.

>> What does your (realistically) perfect day look like??
 

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When Your Baby Wakes You Up Early

...you can accomplish a lot between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM (with the help of your spouse, of course):

1. Feed baby
2. Clean clutter
3. Do one load of laundry
4. Start packing for visit to babushka and dedushka's (grandparents)
5. Compose a product review post
6. Read email
7. Enter a few giveaways
8. Take out compost
9. Put away dishes
10. Stuff and organize cloth diapers
11. Organize plastic recycling to take to Whole Foods
12. Run (because it feels awesome outside and the coffee did not help this morning)
13. Shower

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Garden: Katie vs. Squirrel

Good potting soil

+ organic fertilizer

+ tomato plants from local nursery

+ ripening fruit

= Big Boy tomato munched by squirrel!

After thinking about it for a few minutes, I decided to cut off the 1/4 eaten by the squirrel and eat the rest myself! The Big Boy tomato was delicious!

I do have bird netting around the front of the pots to keep deer out, but over the past few months, it has gotten a little loose as I go over and under it to pick fruit. My weekend task is to reestablish the bird netting to protect the rest of the fruit.

>> How do you protect your garden and plants from small and big critters??

  

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I Found My Library Card!

I was looking for paper to write a Thank You note and I found my library card! I do not know why I am so excited about finding my library card. The last time I used the library was in middle school, in a different state. I recall several years ago, I ordered the library card online. The card arrived in the mail, but I have never used it. I am sure that the library has tons of books on eco-friendly and green living, so I will have to pay a visit this summer.

The library is an eco-friendly, reusable, and frugal resource. When you are finished reading a book, you return it to the library, and let someone else read the book. Using the library is free! Additionally, you are saving the cost of the book and reducing clutter in your home. You will also help to reduce the amount of paper needed to create new books. Public libraries are a great way for your family to live an eco-friendly lifestyle.

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Sunday Stream of Consciousness

I realized that I need to set aside time every weekend to write posts and schedule them. I am working more hours than ever and although I am loving the projects that I am working on, I have neglected my blog. I do not want to neglect my blog because I love my readers. I love writing. This is a creative outlet for me. I love writing about my successes and challenges with living green. I love reading your comments. I also have not been able to participate in Change the World Wednesdays (#CTWW). I miss these challenges. Please bear with me as I figure out my new schedule and get back into the grove of blogging regularly.

Happy Sunday!

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Unplug Your Exercise Routine [#CTWW]

I am honored to be featured as the source of this week's challenge:

This week unplug your exercise routine by using no power. No treadmills, ellipticals, gyms, TV, music, or anything powered to assist in exercise. Make your workout eco-friendly ... and, as always, let us know all about it.

Of course, this challenge would come up right when the last 2 months have been focused on creating a gym routine...and loving it! Although I do love to run outside and exercise at home, I love being able to go to a class or jump on the elliptical. Nonetheless, a challenge is a challenge! Yesterday at the gym, I thought about the ways I try to use less power when I am working out at the gym:

1. Attending spinning class - the only power used is to run the fans, the lights are mostly turned off
2. Choosing the elliptical machine over the treadmill - elliptical machines need human power to get going, but they are still plugged in
3. Using free weights and weight machines

Going to the gym has an environmental impact because I have to drive there and back, the power used to keep the gym running, the chemicals (ammonia) used to clean the equipment, etc. I am going to make a few sacrifices! My goal is to work out 1-2 days at home. Here is my plan:

1. Running outside - when the weather is above 35 degrees
2. Weight lifting at home - we have a weight bench, 100 pounds of weight, hand weights, etc. (today's exercise plan, working out during day time with no light and no music)
3. Bodyweight exercises - using your own body weight to work out (pretty intense if you have never tried it)
4. No Jillian Michael's DVDs
5. No Exercise TV on Demand

I used to run outside and work out at home all the time, but I have been spoiled by the gym. I have worked out with no power before and I can do it again. Exercise can be bad for the environment, but you can make small adjustments to reduce the environmental impact. Plus, there are many other types of activities like running after your kids, cleaning, and gardening that can burn lots of calories.

>> How can you unplug your exercise routine? 

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My Eco-Friendly Weekend Activities

Between work, friends, and family, I have had a pretty busy week. I have not posted as much as I would have liked to. Nonetheless, my mind has been racing with lots of fun eco-friendly activities and plans for this weekend. I am highlighting some of my eco-friendly weekend activities.

1. Carpooling - offered to pick up our friends twice this weekend.
2. Garden - going to start some of my seeds and begin planning for others. I still have a few cold weather and companion plant seeds to purchase.
3. Reusing/Recycling - cleaned out half of the old/expired bottles from the fridge door. Recycled the plastic ones (yes, Rumpke accepts them!) and kept the glass ones for bulk bin purchases.
4. CSA - downloaded the application, will print at work and fill out.
5. Haircut - asked my mom to cut my hair. She is pretty good at cutting my hair with a little style in it.

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How Do You Shop? I Shop Small Business Saturday

Black Friday is a tradition that touches every family, whether you stay up all night planning to start shopping as soon as the stores open or you opt out of shopping on this day. Or, you are like me, who chooses to visit a few stores during the middle of the afternoon just to see what is going on.

Over the past year, I have challenged myself to buy more local and small business items. I like supporting the "little people." Shopping at small and local businesses allows you to find items that are unique and very well made. If Black Friday is not your ideal way to shop for holiday gifts, then consider venturing out on Small Business Saturday.

The 2nd annual Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. On November 26, they are asking millions of people to Shop Small^sm at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy.

PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Help to create a new tradition! Avoid the big box stores and spend your hard-earned money at small businesses. The customer service will be better and you will be more satisfied with unique and high quality gifts.

When we all shop small, it will be huge!

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Preparing for Eco-Friendly Adventures in Babysitting

My husband and I have babysat his twin nieces a couple times. They are mover and shakers! They like to run around and play with everything! Today, I am mentally and physically preparing for tonight because I know we will need to keep them busy. Here are some eco-friendly craft ideas:

Seashell Angels and Snowmen 

Gift to Grandma at Christmas

Shells collected during our beach trip

Pine Cones Swag

Paint pine cones and string together to hang on doorknobs

Pine cones collected in our neighbor's yard (make sure you ask first!)
My favorite is the one in the middle

Tutorial and pictures to come! I am off to clean shells!

>> What eco-friendly crafts have you done with your kids?
 

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Weekend Summary - Friends and Exercise

The weekend is coming to an end.  I wish I had another two days to enjoy, but I am grateful for the two days that I have had.  This weekend was filled with many fun activities.

On Saturday, I enjoyed a nice run throughout our neighborhood.  The fall is perfect for running because of the cool weather and the gorgeous colors of the leaves turning.  I also enjoyed my first Garden Tea Party.  A coworker friend invited a few of us to a Garden Tea Party.  The weather was comfortable, the sun was shinning, and we enjoyed a three-course meal with tea in a very beautiful back yard garden.  I always love connecting with other ladies who can offer great advise about life, family, and kids.  This day was very fulfilling.

On Sunday (today), my husband and I went on a bicycle ride with our friends.  The two hours on the trail gave us opportunities to enjoy the scenery below.  Plus, biking is a great workout!

The trail goes through a wooded area along side a river:

>> What did you enjoy most about your weekend?

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