From Pinterest to Real Life: Succulent Wreath

by on August 31, 2011
in repurposing · 11 Comments

By now, you all know how much I love succulents. So when I saw this wreath idea on Pinterest, I fell in love and knew I had to make it. I was determined to not only be inspired, but to also actually make it happen.

My wreath wasn’t very hard to make at all, it just took a little planning. Gigi (four years old) was able to help me out, too, which was great!

The original idea came from Prudent Baby. And hers came out beautifully as you’ll see from the photo below. I love the colors she was able to find! Jamie’s tutorial is easy to follow (and I loved her supply list complete with Amazon links- easy peasy!).

[Read more...]

For Free Organic Food, Report to Nature

by on August 29, 2011
in repurposing · 12 Comments

Written by contributor NJ Renie. 

If you remember prehistory, you know that human beings are hunters and gatherers by their very nature. Eons before the turnip truck–or even the apple cart—humans got the nutrition they needed from the forests, fields, and waterways.

As we approach the harvest season in North America and Europe, please remember that during this time of year nature provides free, sustainable, organic, seasonal alternatives to your supermarket, garden, and CSA. So get out in nature, embrace your inner human, and maybe even establish a new food tradition in your family. Here are some starting places. [Read more...]

Weekend Links

by on August 28, 2011
in links · 2 Comments

I‘m so excited to tell you about Tsh from Simple Mom’s new ebook, One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler. I plan to do a thorough review (and maybe even give a copy away!) sometime in September, but I wanted to tell you about it now in case you’d like to check it out before then. It’s a great deal at only five bucks and I know it’s going to be super practical and easy-to-use for me and my family.

Here are a few more great reads…

My Google Reader is full of recipes for zucchini, which must mean it’s that time of year when we have an abundance and need creative ways to use squash. I just brought a big bag home from a friend’s and I can’t wait to try that soup above, among other things.

What’s your favorite way to use up bumper crops of zucchini?

Dreaming in Green

by on August 26, 2011
in living mindfully · 17 Comments

Judging from the comments on Stephanie’s recent post about Natural Living Fatigue, I think it’s safe to say that she wasn’t alone in feeling overwhelmed with it all at times. I can definitely relate. For me, I really have to remember that we all go through seasons where we can invest more or less of our energy and resources into a crunchier lifestyle.

But… that doesn’t mean I don’t dream about the future. Sometimes I just want to step back from reality and from the striving and just imagine what I might enjoy someday. Here are a few of things I would love to do with my family…

  • More gardening, or while I’m dreaming, small-scale farming!

  • Raise chickens

  • Use solar power

  • Remodel a fixer-upper with repurposed materials

  • Learn to do more canning, preserving and freezer cooking

  • Repurpose more clothes, and do more thrifting (haven’t quite figured out how to do that with three littles in tow)

  • And of course, read all the books on these topics and more!

While many of these could actually come to fruition in the next few years (when I have a few more spare moments), some of them are much more far-fetched (definitely dreams, rather than goals).

But hey, it’s fun to dream, right?


Photo by emmylouhelmeuth

I have an inkling that dreaming big when it comes to going green just might be one more way to avoid getting burned out. We can’t do everything we’d like to right now, but we can enjoy the baby steps that do suit our individual families and life circumstances, while dreaming of the things we’d love to do someday.

What are you dreaming about for a greener/more natural lifestyle? What resource do you feel like you lack most to turn your dreams into realities– money, time, energy, space, or something else? Does dreaming big make you just feel discouraged or does it help you enjoy where you’re at while looking ahead?

{Top Image Source}

Because Sometimes I Get Tired of Healthy, Natural Living

by on August 24, 2011
in living mindfully · 99 Comments

Written by contributor Stephanie Langford of Keeper of the Home.

Do you ever get tired of it all?

Have you read an article on nutrition or being green, and found that your eyes began to glaze over as you thought, blah, blah, blah? Does the garbage sometimes seem like a more convenient option than the compost? Do you just want to break down and buy toothpaste that doesn’t cost $5 a tube?

Natural living fatigue. It happens.

My journey to more green, wholesome, healthy living began almost eight years ago. During those years, my motivation and commitment levels have remained generally positive, but there have been times when I felt tired of it all and struggled with wanting to take the “easier” road for a season.

As with any major lifestyle change, it is absolutely normal to have ups and downs, easy times and hard ones. Many of us begin with a bang, energetically pursuing our goals and full of inspiration. Yet, there are often points of frustration, disillusionment, weariness and burn out. Why does it happen? What are the reasons that we slow down, tune out, and pull back from natural living at various points along the journey?

[Read more...]

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