ALOT has happened in 2011, and some of that may come forth. I’m no longer in NC, I’m actually back up Spokane, WA where I spent about five years of my childhood youth. Let’s face it, I’m a city girl, Spokane just ain’t doing it for me, Seattle or Portland here I come as soon as I win the lotto or don’t have humongous outstanding medical bills I have to keep paying off.

Anyway, everyone has their own sob story I’m sure. The one thing I would like to see through is the blogging pants because they are more than just jeans to me, they are more than just affirmations, they are more than just a nuisance. I know I don’t have a cape to change to the world, let alone in the aspect of medical care, but especially in January where everyone is knee deep in trying to lose weight, what about the 1 in 5 people dying of eating disorders. Oh no, we can’t talk about that, it’s not socially acceptable. It is actually the number one killer above all else but because it is usually classified from organ failure, heart attack etc, it gets shuffled under the rug, and we turn our minds to socially more acceptable things to talk about like heart disease and diabetes.

thank you brandi!

Sorry, minor soap box. Anyway, the blogging pants have slowly been moving around for about a year, gaining affirmations and I truly thank everyone who participated and who still will. I’m hoping to get them back by the first week of February for the NEDA conference where the theme is “Don’t be defined by your GENES,” but we will see.

It has been inspiring to me to find so many out there that are so positive about themselves, honest, full of integrity, and honor their values over their waste size. The strength and paths women have traveled is mind-blowing. I guess I should start sewing some super–women outifts!

Thus, I have been putting my energy in other things, and let me tell you, when you the world of technology disappears from your life, you’d be amazed at what else is out there.  I’ve gone back to doing a lot of crafting (and by no means am I any artist, stick people??)

A very good friend, even though I’m vegetarian and was creeped out at first, has been teaching me a quickly disappearing art of leathercraft. It’s a pretty cool craft, and after the creepiness, it was the history and meaning that you could give to other people that kept me going, plus all of the time and care that goes into it. I have been making things, mostly from old scraps, that I hope to be able to sell for pennies to donate to NAMI, NEDA, and the CANCER ALLIANCE. We can basically make just about anything and are slowly building a site, but the flickr site is constantly updated….

If you are interested, check us out at JB LeatherHandcrafts!

I’ve also been sewing…ummm…or trying to and just taking one day at a time.

However, more importantly, the BLOG PANTS are on the move again!!! My goal is to get them ready for the NEDA conference this fall so let’s get them going and filled!!

You ladies have been awesome about this and it could not have happened without you, so THANK YOU! Word on the blog world is that Neverhomemaker has sent them off to SavvyJulie…so stay tuned!

Anyway, remember the blog pants? They were being sent from blogger to blogger collecting affirmations.

This is a picture of them when they first began, and since they have collected more beautiful words. I believe Neverhomemaker has them currently but has taken a blog haiatus!!!! (small anxiety here :p )

My goal is to really get them going around at a faster pace and get them covered in time for the NEDA conference which is being held in October. So my dear friends, I know you have some powerful words to share, let’s get these pants flying again so your wisdom can be shared with some wisdom and inspiration from a group of women who could greatly benefit.

Thanks again!!!

This is where Crystal Lite Pure comes to the rescue. I have been trying to lessen my artificial sweetner intake, and Kraft was kind enough to send me three of the Pure flavors to try out, my favorite was definitely the GRAPE!

yes, i know this is mixed berry, it's good too!

The individual packs are easy to carry around, and provide solid flavor in my 320z nalgene bottle. I still mix it with a little bubbly (be it 1/2 lemon lime, or 1/2 plain sparkling water) but it is definitely a much better compromise. It comes in three flavors, grape, mixed berry, and strawberry kiwi…but I’m sticking with the grape! There is no funny aftertaste and seeing as I’ve never even been a juice/koolaid/lemonade/ice tea person before, I give this two thumbs up.  Very refreshing and portable just in time for summer!

Thanks again Crystal Lite!

The bottom portion of the bag held the bento kit that can be arranged in various ways to fit fruits, veggies, sandwiches, entrees, and even has a little cup for dressing so your salad won’t get soggy, as well as silverware that is simple to wash and clean. All of the containers are BPA free and made with recycled content!

The top half of the bag is big enough to hold thermos’, mason jars, 16oz, containers and a mason jar…I tried all sorts of stuff and maxed it out I was instantly in love. Always known as the bag lady, I now have a much more effective, economical, and safer way to carry my meals around when I’m gone most of the day which is just about everyday. (Hey, in my defense I’m a good person to get caught in an emergency with because there is a good chance I’ll have some snacks for you too!)

Another great thing is the kit comes a long with a book that explains healthy nutrition and shares some fun recipes and ideas for your bento kit.  They have a ton of different varieties and versions you can check out at their site. These ladies obviously know what they are doing, are very resourceful, and have put out a great line of products that I would definitely recommend!

I don’t have one of those computers you can easily tote around to any ol’ hotspot but was able to get a connection today. Thus, I quickly share with you another earth friendly tip for your home and/or office. I know at work, there is always printer mistakes or other paper mishaps and it just gets shoved into the recycling bin while your boss spends countless dollars on little notepads and stickie notes. Why?

Gather up all those random papers, give it a few hearty staples, and VOILA! A scratchpad is yours! You can still recycle it when you are done, you don’t need to buy any fancy notepads to doodle on, and if you really want to stick it somewhere, I’m sure the office has a some tape.

So save some trees and start making your own little notebooks and pads! You may just find yourself getting an extra pat on the back for saving the business those few bucks!

Do you like being away from the internet completely? Can you even remember the last time you were?

I could definitely live here…change that waterfall to some almond milk, add some berry bushes and cottage cheese clouds and I’m good to go!

However, I do have some fun news! Up at my usual hour of 0330 (because I attend to my senior citizen bedtime of 6p :p) I read through the paper and saw the Coeur d’Alene Ironman was already asking for volunteers. I used to be really into tri’s until I got sick, so I went right over and registered to volunteer, I can’t wait. The event literally takes over the entire town for about four days, it’s really inspiring! I know I will get back there one day soon!

Then, an email popped up asking me to do the Susan G. Komen Race. Now, even though I’m against all things pink, I AM FOR ALL THINGS THAT RAISE MONEY for cancer research and treatments because it hits very close to home. Due to such late notice I don’t know how much money I’ll be able to raise but if you want to support a great foundation, email me, and I can send you the info. In return, you will have your choice of a fun eco-craft in honor of Earth Month. I’ve been getting into this and will be posting soon, but it could be anything from a bottle cap charm, a box made from recycled cereal boxes, a fun purse, a hand-made journal…still experimenting!

If the rain keeps up I think I will be wearing about ten of these :p Unless I pass out from all the pink :p

Okay, back to the green tip of the day.  More containers

I can usually make it through an entire year before I have to buy another box of Ziplocs, parchment paper, or foil, which is only increased/decreased by certain baking/cooking, or crafting I might do. Otherwise, I am able to reuse containers and other things to both store and travel my snacks and lunches with.

The Mason Jar we’ve addressed before-does just about everything.

I love putting a dash of pudding in my smoothies for flavor and thickness, and I just poured the powder in this old drink mix container and labeled it.

Debbie Green Meyer Bags really do work! I go through a ton of spinach a week, but I can buy almost five pounds of it at Costco and split it up and none of it goes bad. I’ve kept a lot of other produce in it as well, such as Kale, for over a week and it has stayed fresh. They can be washed out and reused. I’ve only had to buy one box so far.

Ziplocs-same thing, yeah, you do have to throw some away, but you can rinse out a lot of them, turn them inside out and reuse them. Especially if you’re one like me and drink a lot of smoothies and constantly freezing fruit in those big gallon bags.

Aluminum foil/Parchment can also be a better alternative to wrap your sandwich or snack in than using a Ziploc if you don’t have reusable snack containers. I actually do have some. Unfortunately they are still boxed up somewhere in NC….I hope!

I like the products from Laptop Lunches because they come in great sizes and are BPA free, amidst many other great  earth friendly qualities! Having the parchment and foil  are usual household items, good to have on hand, and you can usually find cheap and cost effective with numerous purposes. Think outside the box

How do you travel with your snacks and meals?

Have a wonderful and blessed Monday!

We all know I drink GREEN, staple to my diet!

I love mason jars-I use them for almost everything! Which leads me to four of the containers I can’t live without!

From left to right: BPA free Nalgene bottle, washed out cottage cheese/yogurt container, mason jar, and a reusable coffee mug.

1) BPA Free Nalgene bottle: I carry this around with me all day, I can fill it up anywhere and with anything, I’ve even done coffee. Places give you discounts if you want to use it for soda (yes, I love my diet coke from the gas station, and you can get 32oz for 69cents vs. paying their ridiculous styrofoamed cup fee of over $1 or their $2 soda bottle fee!

2) I go through cottage cheese and yogurt like no other and have tons of these containers that unfortunately my city does not recycle. They are not safe to microwave food in, but I will reuse a container one or two times to carry a snack in (no more than that, because the plastic does have chemicals. Also, I used to reuse those plastic waterbottles all the time and ended up with an amoeba in my stomach so I’m a bit wary). I also use them to store random stuff in like a bunch of my crafty things.

3) The Mason Jar: This is you’re all around jar that can do about anything. I use them to store grains, nuts, drinks, green monsters, bring them with me to buy bulk items so I don’t use a plastic bag, drink a huge glass jar of coffee if you’re an addict like me and don’t want to get up to refill for awhile :p It works for EVERYTHING! You can usually find them cheap at garage sales, craigslist, or a family member who has given up canning. They are easy to wash and safe, just don’t drop them!

4) The reusable coffee travel mug-this is something to invest in if you are a daily coffee drinker. Make sure you get one that has a really good seal, seriously. I have been through so many disasters in my backpack that once I find one, I stick with it. I actually got this one at Starbucks (even though I never go there) and love it. It’s a venti (24oz) size, bigger is better for me :p, and I can fill it up, literally turn it upside down, and nothing comes out. Plus, I love red, if you couldn’t tell already Most shops will offer a 10cent discount for bringing in your mug, if you are a gas station drinker, you just pay the refill price which is about 79c-89c per cup, very cost friendly.

***What are your earth friendly tips? Stay tuned, I have a whole list ready for you, including my newest obsession of eco-crafts!! I’m excited to learn about others though, people are so creative!

I was about a mile from home, but not about to walk there in my bike shoes, in the snow, let alone being very under-dressed for the weather. We tried to get it off, but no luck, but he offered to take me home so I could at least change and get some tools. When I told him where I lived, it ended up being that his daughter was the director and he used to cook there-small world! We picked up a few tools, drove back up, hacked the lock off-which was actually quite an ordeal so I highly suggest the bulldog coil locks if you’re looking for a lightweight lock to carry around with you, and we continued on our separate ways.

yaya, i obviously don’t have photoshop, but look at my litespeed! i miss that bike

Well, since then, we have continued to form a friendship. He has taught me so many things-things I never thought I would learn like leather crafting and such. He also has come and made Indian Fry Bread which is simple, plain, but a very good plain, economical, and all of the residents love it. He was kind enough to share the recipe with me, and since I’m at the parents for the weekend I attempted making it for them, because “fried” “eggs” and “sausage” are three of my step-dad’s favorite words.

I had mixed up the dough the night before so when I woke up I laid the “worm” out to get back to room temp.

Then I cut off chunks of the dough and formed little doughnuts and even one very sad looking three leaf clover. Then I just sat and waited. Normally you would be heating your oil and getting everything else ready-but I get up at the crack of dawn and go to bed like a senior citizen.

Eventually my parents did finally get up and I started heating the oil, made some sausage patties (which my mother burned :p) and some poached eggs (they have the best egg poacher!) I tested the oil and one by one, in they went-FRY!!!

The entire breakfast:

Poor sausage :p (blech to me) A lucky clover for a happy saturday!

And there are PLENTY of leftovers, so come on by…

This recipe is very unique, very economical, has about five ingredients and all are very cheap. I can imagine if I had to feed a big family on a tight budget, this would be a staple. I’m not so into the fry part, but it was fun. I need to make my fried pickles again! Needless to say it was a hit. My parents got their “farmers breakfast” and laid back down for a nap :p

I am very happy they have resurfaced are are going to be passed along again. After a good dose of travels and comments my hope is to donate them to NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) because their theme each year always plays off the word genes (jeans).  You can currently shop their store for numerous products that also go to support the foundation if you are interested.

I follow many blogs and am constantly inspired by what people can do and accomplish when they set their mind to it. I can honestly admit, that at this time, I’m relearning self-love, trust, and self-forgiveness, and it’s a hard and bumpy road.

Caitlin is always a constant reminder and encouragement that we are all beautiful no matter what!

This is from the Operation Beautiful website-definitely check it out if you have not!