Or rotten apples.
Recently, Dear Darling, picked up one of those 3 or 5 pound bags of apples at the grocery store. I hate those.
I worked in a grocery store, I know how "the kids" handle those bags. They get tossed and thrown and dropped like crazy. What do kids care? When no adult is watching them, they don't. They want to have fun and they don't care if the apples get bruised and then rot before selling.
So, when we got home, I felt the apples in the bag and about half were soft or rotten. Before, I would just throw them out. That would have been more than 30% food waste going to the landfill. Instead, I let them sit on the counter while we put away the rest of the shopping order.
The apples still "looked" nice. It was as if they were just asking to not be thrown away.
I could put them into the compost pile, or feed them to the worms, were my initial thoughts. But then, I remembered that my mother used to make a snack type cake with apples and a box of cake mix, and I knew I had a box of yellow cake mix in the pantry.
My mother is not around to ask for this recipe, so I went to allrecipes . com and put apples into the search and got the following recipe.
Apple Snack Squares
I followed the recipe, but I did use all the apples, which were Macoun, and on the smaller side, so I ended up with about 2 to 2 1/2 cups of chopped apples.
It came out WONDERFUL! and we both loved it.
Dear Darling mentioned that this was something that his grandmother would have done, she never wasted anything. For me, that was a great compliment.
Next time that life gives you lemons, or rotten apples, take the time to look at them from a different angle and see what you can do with them.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Light Bulbs!
Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs
Have you thought about them at all?
When we moved to the mid west in the mid '90s we bought several when we moved in. They were about $13.00 a light bulb and we had them on in our living room, which was in the lower level of the house, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 7 years until they burnt out. I can not tell you what kind they were, or where they were made, but they were well worth the $13.00 a light bulb.
We try to use them now, but aren't always successful in finding a size and shape to fit the use of the light. They are less expensive now, about $4 to $7, and they don't last 7 years. Maybe 3.
I've been talking with Dear Darling about finding some that will fit into the kitchen light,(which has 5 bulbs) the dining room light (which has 5 bulbs) and into our hanging bathroom lights (which is two bulbs). He said it was difficult to find dimmer bulbs in CFL. We have dimmers on the switches in the kitchen and the dining room.
I explained to him that not only did I want to change this lighting because of the savings to our electric bill, but also to help conserve electricity as a whole.
While at Lowe's this past weekend, we took a few moments to look at the light bulbs to see what was "new" in lighting. We found two different kinds of bulbs, which we purchased to give a try in our kitchen and our bathroom.
For the kitchen, we purchased two Utilitech Pro LED bulbs. I did not realize that reading a light bulb package is kind of like reading a food package. They now have "THE FACTS" about the product. They have a brightness of 300 lumen's, a usage of 4.8 watts, and are equivalent of a 40 watt light bulb. It says it is a warm light and it is dimmable. The cost per bulb is $14.98, and the package says its estimated energy usage is $.58 per year, using the bulb for 3 hrs per day, and has an estimated life of 27.4 years. (I find this one hard to believe, but we'll see). They do not contain any bad metals in them, such as mercury, and can be recycled or disposed of without threatening the environment.
The bulb is made in China, which is NOT a plus for me, but we could find no bulbs made in the USA. In the FINE print, it does offer a warranty of three years or it will be replaced. So I have saved the packaging and the receipt and believe me, if this bulb dies before then, I'll be going to get another!
We purchased two bulbs for the hanging lights in the bathroom as well. These are Utilitech CFL bulbs, The lighting facts are per bulb, they are bright white, 900 lumen's, Estimated yearly energy cost $1.57, lifetime is 9.1 years and it uses 13 watts to provide the equivalent of a 60 watt bulb. It is also made in China and it has a two year warranty. The price was $6.28 for the two pack. These do contain MERCURY and when they are done you need to dispose of them properly and not just throw them in the trash. (Something I never knew before)
So far, we like the two added bulbs in the kitchen fixture and we will replace the rest of those bulbs, plus those in the dining room fixture a little at a time. Not that $14.98 is that much money, but 8 more bulbs at once is. We are also happy so far with the bulbs in the bathroom fixture. They don't seem quite as bright as the others right away, but after a few minutes, they are quite bright.
I will be sure to keep you up to date on our findings with these bulbs.
Have you considered converting?
Have you thought about them at all?
When we moved to the mid west in the mid '90s we bought several when we moved in. They were about $13.00 a light bulb and we had them on in our living room, which was in the lower level of the house, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 7 years until they burnt out. I can not tell you what kind they were, or where they were made, but they were well worth the $13.00 a light bulb.
We try to use them now, but aren't always successful in finding a size and shape to fit the use of the light. They are less expensive now, about $4 to $7, and they don't last 7 years. Maybe 3.
I've been talking with Dear Darling about finding some that will fit into the kitchen light,(which has 5 bulbs) the dining room light (which has 5 bulbs) and into our hanging bathroom lights (which is two bulbs). He said it was difficult to find dimmer bulbs in CFL. We have dimmers on the switches in the kitchen and the dining room.
I explained to him that not only did I want to change this lighting because of the savings to our electric bill, but also to help conserve electricity as a whole.
While at Lowe's this past weekend, we took a few moments to look at the light bulbs to see what was "new" in lighting. We found two different kinds of bulbs, which we purchased to give a try in our kitchen and our bathroom.
For the kitchen, we purchased two Utilitech Pro LED bulbs. I did not realize that reading a light bulb package is kind of like reading a food package. They now have "THE FACTS" about the product. They have a brightness of 300 lumen's, a usage of 4.8 watts, and are equivalent of a 40 watt light bulb. It says it is a warm light and it is dimmable. The cost per bulb is $14.98, and the package says its estimated energy usage is $.58 per year, using the bulb for 3 hrs per day, and has an estimated life of 27.4 years. (I find this one hard to believe, but we'll see). They do not contain any bad metals in them, such as mercury, and can be recycled or disposed of without threatening the environment.
The bulb is made in China, which is NOT a plus for me, but we could find no bulbs made in the USA. In the FINE print, it does offer a warranty of three years or it will be replaced. So I have saved the packaging and the receipt and believe me, if this bulb dies before then, I'll be going to get another!
We purchased two bulbs for the hanging lights in the bathroom as well. These are Utilitech CFL bulbs, The lighting facts are per bulb, they are bright white, 900 lumen's, Estimated yearly energy cost $1.57, lifetime is 9.1 years and it uses 13 watts to provide the equivalent of a 60 watt bulb. It is also made in China and it has a two year warranty. The price was $6.28 for the two pack. These do contain MERCURY and when they are done you need to dispose of them properly and not just throw them in the trash. (Something I never knew before)
So far, we like the two added bulbs in the kitchen fixture and we will replace the rest of those bulbs, plus those in the dining room fixture a little at a time. Not that $14.98 is that much money, but 8 more bulbs at once is. We are also happy so far with the bulbs in the bathroom fixture. They don't seem quite as bright as the others right away, but after a few minutes, they are quite bright.
I will be sure to keep you up to date on our findings with these bulbs.
Have you considered converting?
Monday, January 20, 2014
Being prepared Part 2
This is another short note about being prepared, all the time, not just in winter.
In recent years it seems as if there have been more storms to make the news. I don't know if you've lived through any of them, but here at our house, we've had a few.
Now there are tons of sites on the internet and lots of books to be borrowed from the library on preparing for any disaster you can think of. I encourage you to look at some and to think over what you feel is the right level of preparedness for you.
Here are some of the things we do in our house.
We have several rechargeable flashlights. They are always in the charging dock and fully charged. Yes, this uses a small amount of power, but when your lights go out in the black of night can you find your flash light? I know where each one is and I feel so much better knowing it has a full charge. We also keep several battery operated flashlights available as well as a stock of batteries at the ready. To light up a whole room and to not have to hold your flashlight while doing it, get a sturdy, tall drinking glass and up end the flashlight into it so that it shines towards the ceiling. It's as good as having an overhead light on.
Candles and matches. During Hurricane Sandy you could not find ANY matches on the shelves in stores. We keep several boxes of stick matches handy for just this reason. If you can't light your candle, they are no good to you. Plus, you may need matches to light a fire in your wood burner, or two light your gas stove. I am of the age where gas stoves did not have the electronic ignition, you used a match to light them. A lot of younger people don't know that you can still use your gas stove during a power outage, that they can light it themselves, but you need matches to be able to do it.
A princess phone. What? Yes, I said a princess phone. When the power goes out in your home, so does the ability to use your cordless phones. Ask me how I know? We always keep an old princess phone underneath our phone table for just this case. It comes in handy. Now that everyone carries a cell phone, you may think that you don't need one, but suppose the cell towers are out as well? At least you have another option.
Another thing I do is to keep a copy of my power bill near the phone. When the power goes out, there's no fumbling looking for the previous months bill or the phone book to call and report an outage, it's right there.
The last thing I'll share with you is this and I know this may sound silly, but I fill the bath tub with water. Why? So that there is water to flush the toilet. And to wash up if I want to.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Being prepared
This is just a short note about being prepared. We all hear about it, but how many actually DO it.
Every winter we get together two winter car kits. They are basically just smaller Rubbermaid tubs and inside them we put a few tea light candles, some matches in a plastic bag or metal tin, a pair of gloves or mittens, a hat, some hard candies, a large black or dark green garbage bag or two, and a granola bar. For me, I also put some car "knitting" and a book.
Also in the car goes a wool blanket, a small snow shovel and some sand or sand and salt mix. You could use kitty litter if you have that handy instead. You could also put a bottle of water or two in there, but remember, it is winter and it will probably freeze. If you hope to heat it up, you will need a little tin cup or a pot and some way to get it out of the bottle if it's a plastic container. Place any other items that you feel you will need in there as well. Some people put a sterno can or two, some will put those little hand warmer packs that once you open the package they heat up. Think about what you feel you would need to keep you happy, sane, and patient. Please also keep in mind that you will need to have a window cracked while using a sterno can in the car.
Just these few items placed in the trunk or back seat of your car can save you a lot of aggravation and worry if you should be on a road trip and your car breaks down, you run out of gas or the weather prevents you from going any further.
A few years ago there was a very bad snow storm that came through that had a few hours of sleet on top of the ice and one of the major highways closed down with hundreds of cars and trucks stuck on the highway as they couldn't get up the mountain. Some of those people were on the road, in their car for a day or two. I am sure none of them expected that to happen, but it did. I also expect many of them had no safety or comfort items with them. Yes, the National Guard had been called in and brought items to all these people stranded in their cars, but I am sure that the waiting must have been agony for the occupants.
I hope todays post will help you think about what you will put into your winter car kit and make one up for each car in your home.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
I placed my seed order!
Is it spring yet?!
I was able to get a copy of The Whole Seed Catalog recently from Barnes and Noble.
WOW! What a catalog!
A catalog and a magazine in one.
I know $7.95 seems crazy to purchase a catalog, but if you haven't seen this one, it is one to keep, read and learn from, not just to use once and throw away.
First, I had to read each article, and look on line about some of the items mentioned in it.
Then, I sat and drew up my "dream" list.
You know, you have one as well, and you know exactly what I am talking about. IF ONLY my garden were that big.
Then, of course, I had to drag out the nearly dozen other seed catalogs and look over them for about a week and make a list.
Now, I came down to earth.
I planned a few improvements for the yard for the spring and where I will plant what. Or rather, where I hope to plant what.
So I placed my order and hit the purchase button!
Is it spring yet?
I was able to get a copy of The Whole Seed Catalog recently from Barnes and Noble.
WOW! What a catalog!
A catalog and a magazine in one.
I know $7.95 seems crazy to purchase a catalog, but if you haven't seen this one, it is one to keep, read and learn from, not just to use once and throw away.
First, I had to read each article, and look on line about some of the items mentioned in it.
Then, I sat and drew up my "dream" list.
You know, you have one as well, and you know exactly what I am talking about. IF ONLY my garden were that big.
Then, of course, I had to drag out the nearly dozen other seed catalogs and look over them for about a week and make a list.
Now, I came down to earth.
I planned a few improvements for the yard for the spring and where I will plant what. Or rather, where I hope to plant what.
So I placed my order and hit the purchase button!
Is it spring yet?
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Just say NO
Just say NO to using Round Up.
Don't use it at your home, talk about not using it with your friends, co workers, relatives, neighbors. Anyone who will listen to you. It's just bad stuff.
I've been doing a lot of reading, books and on the internet and I just can't believe how we've all been blinded by the fact that it will "kill" all of our weeds and our yards and gardens will look great!
At what expense? Our health and the health of the world we live in.
I'm sorry if this seems like such an "off" post for me. I'm usually not so dramatic or passionate to others about the things I believe. But the more I read about Round Up and what it has done to our world, it's upsetting.
Please take the time to enjoy your yard and garden. Get out there and weed by hand. It's not so bad, and the exercise is GOOD for you. Encourage other's to weed with you, spend time in the garden enjoying what you are doing and who you are with. It creates the things that become the memories in years to come. Plus, it fosters a sense of connectedness with the soil and the earth and growing the food you are eating.
Besides, the weeds were here first, and I have a feeling, they'll be here long after we are gone.
Don't use it at your home, talk about not using it with your friends, co workers, relatives, neighbors. Anyone who will listen to you. It's just bad stuff.
I've been doing a lot of reading, books and on the internet and I just can't believe how we've all been blinded by the fact that it will "kill" all of our weeds and our yards and gardens will look great!
At what expense? Our health and the health of the world we live in.
I'm sorry if this seems like such an "off" post for me. I'm usually not so dramatic or passionate to others about the things I believe. But the more I read about Round Up and what it has done to our world, it's upsetting.
Please take the time to enjoy your yard and garden. Get out there and weed by hand. It's not so bad, and the exercise is GOOD for you. Encourage other's to weed with you, spend time in the garden enjoying what you are doing and who you are with. It creates the things that become the memories in years to come. Plus, it fosters a sense of connectedness with the soil and the earth and growing the food you are eating.
Besides, the weeds were here first, and I have a feeling, they'll be here long after we are gone.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
One Hundred Mile Diet
What?
Locavore: (According to Wikipedia)
A locavore is a person interested in eating food that is locally produced, not moved long distances to market. The desired maximum distance for local produce is between 50-100 miles. The locavore movement in the United States and elsewhere was spawned as interest in sustainability and eco-consciousness became more prevalent.
I read about being a locavore for the first time in Barbara Kingsolvers book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, last year. I never gave a lot of thought to where my food came from, just that when I wanted to eat something, I would go to the grocery store and buy it. I didn't really think about the miles it traveled, or where it actually came from, I was just glad that I could go to the grocery store in the cold of January and buy a fresh orange.
Now, when I go into the store and buy a "fresh" orange, I wonder..... how "fresh" is it? where did it come from? and, how many miles away is that?
We decided to start our garden so that we knew "where" our food came from and also to save some money.
I also like that we will be supporting a local farmer.
While I am not one to make new years resolutions, I would like to think that by thinking more about where my food comes from and eating in season, I am making a healthy lifestyle change that is good for me, and good for the environment as well as supporting a local, small business.
Have you looked lately to see "where" your food is coming from?
Locavore: (According to Wikipedia)
A locavore is a person interested in eating food that is locally produced, not moved long distances to market. The desired maximum distance for local produce is between 50-100 miles. The locavore movement in the United States and elsewhere was spawned as interest in sustainability and eco-consciousness became more prevalent.
I read about being a locavore for the first time in Barbara Kingsolvers book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, last year. I never gave a lot of thought to where my food came from, just that when I wanted to eat something, I would go to the grocery store and buy it. I didn't really think about the miles it traveled, or where it actually came from, I was just glad that I could go to the grocery store in the cold of January and buy a fresh orange.
Now, when I go into the store and buy a "fresh" orange, I wonder..... how "fresh" is it? where did it come from? and, how many miles away is that?
We decided to start our garden so that we knew "where" our food came from and also to save some money.
We also decided, that for 2014, we would join our local CSA to give that a try. We joined it together with another family because my friend had been talking about joining and was afraid she wouldn't be able to use everything she got in a box, as she has two small children and wasn't sure she would have the time to take care of all the food.
The arrangement will work well for both our families, as no matter what we get and share, we are both concerned about where our food comes from.
I also like that we will be supporting a local farmer.
While I am not one to make new years resolutions, I would like to think that by thinking more about where my food comes from and eating in season, I am making a healthy lifestyle change that is good for me, and good for the environment as well as supporting a local, small business.
Have you looked lately to see "where" your food is coming from?
Monday, January 6, 2014
The book that got me thinking
I picked up this book last year, 2013, when I had a need to "hold" a book and read. I had heard about the book from somewhere, or someone, and I can't remember where or who now, but I'm glad I went searching for the book.
I won't spoil it for you, you can go over to amazon or to your local book store and take a peak at it there.
I will say that once you've read it, you begin to think about where your food comes from. Truly. I know that farmers grow my food, but it made me more aware of "where" my food comes from and I began to look when I was shopping for my groceries.
I was surprised and appalled to see that a lot of the canned items I was using were from other countries. Why are mushrooms coming from CHINA when Pennsylvania has one of the largest mushroom growers in our country?
Why were the oranges in our orange juice coming from Brazil and other countries? I have since found a brand that juices from oranges here in the United States.
I can understand in the dead of winter there are fruits and vegetables that are not grown local and have to travel farther, but really? Why from another country?
Not just canned and fresh either, frozen as well. I probably shouldn't mention names, but Green Giant, check their labels.
When we lived in the Midwest, the potatoes and the green beans, in season, by the truck load, would roll to the Green Giant plants. Tractor trailer loads! What a sight to see. But now, look at their labels.
The book was the primary reason why I decided we had to figure out a way to grow more of our own food.
Our yard presents us with great challenges, and Dear Darling was so wonderful to build my main garden for me. It was a tremendous amount of work and expense, but it did very well for it's first year, I'm happy to say. While I did not keep any true records of how much was grown, we did have something from it nearly every week once it was producing, and it's the first time I ever canned my own tomatoes and dried them.
This book helped me to begin our journey to a simpler life and growing where I am planted.
What book got you started on your simple life or your gardening journey?
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Hercules!
Yes, our part of the world was hit by Hercules, the winter storm.
It is too cold to take my camera outside, so I'm sharing a previous snow storm picture with you.
We were lucky, the snow was light and fluffy and quite easy to move, unlike the storm above, where it was wet and heavy.
Taking the time to look at the world around you is something that a lot of people miss out on. Their world is too busy and full of stressful thoughts.
This is one of the things a simple life is helping me to appreciate. Taking the time.
Take some time today, where ever you are, and appreciate the world around you.
It is too cold to take my camera outside, so I'm sharing a previous snow storm picture with you.
We were lucky, the snow was light and fluffy and quite easy to move, unlike the storm above, where it was wet and heavy.
Taking the time to look at the world around you is something that a lot of people miss out on. Their world is too busy and full of stressful thoughts.
This is one of the things a simple life is helping me to appreciate. Taking the time.
Take some time today, where ever you are, and appreciate the world around you.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
I'm getting excited about Spring!
Technically, it's just winter and I'm thinking of spring and ALL the things I want to plant in 2014.
My first concern, is finding just the right blueberry bushes to plant in my hugel bed. So many choices to make. I have contacted a local grower to see what kinds he will be offering this year. I would prefer to buy local when I can.
Then, I've been looking over my seed catalogs, and found a few more on line that I am considering buying from. I found seedsavers and decided I would like to order a few of the rare seeds that they offer. I like the idea of planting things that people generations before thought were good and that it was important to save and share those seeds. I wish I had known my fathers parents. I am sure they saved seed from year to year. Maybe I would be growing some of theirs if they had.
I am also toying with the idea of strawberries also. We love strawberries and they are so expensive in the store, and even when they are in season. Also, they are NEVER as good as when you grow them yourself and you have to take what is in the container, which, if you aren't careful, are moldy or beginning to mold, or they aren't even close to being ripe.
I also found something called "ground cherries" that I'd like to try. Partly because they are originally from Poland. That is my husbands heritage. So maybe we would have gotten seed from his relatives from long ago.
I like the feeling of connection with the past, even it if isn't directly our past.
Happy New Year!
My first concern, is finding just the right blueberry bushes to plant in my hugel bed. So many choices to make. I have contacted a local grower to see what kinds he will be offering this year. I would prefer to buy local when I can.
Then, I've been looking over my seed catalogs, and found a few more on line that I am considering buying from. I found seedsavers and decided I would like to order a few of the rare seeds that they offer. I like the idea of planting things that people generations before thought were good and that it was important to save and share those seeds. I wish I had known my fathers parents. I am sure they saved seed from year to year. Maybe I would be growing some of theirs if they had.
I am also toying with the idea of strawberries also. We love strawberries and they are so expensive in the store, and even when they are in season. Also, they are NEVER as good as when you grow them yourself and you have to take what is in the container, which, if you aren't careful, are moldy or beginning to mold, or they aren't even close to being ripe.
I also found something called "ground cherries" that I'd like to try. Partly because they are originally from Poland. That is my husbands heritage. So maybe we would have gotten seed from his relatives from long ago.
I like the feeling of connection with the past, even it if isn't directly our past.
Happy New Year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)