I was just telling Emily, (author of the excellent blog emilyrosedowney.blogspot.com) that I really like these four terms: "precycle", "recycle", "upcycle", and "cycle".
Precycle: consider the packaging of every product you buy- is there a version or size that you could purchase that would produce less waste? (Ex: don't buy plastic water bottles)
... I interrupt this blog post to say that I was just interrupted by a sweet faced white tailed deer staring at my typing away on my computer. I'm at Messiah's campus right now taking advantage of wireless internet...
Recycle: once you've finished something, rinse out the container, throw the cap away, and put the plastic or glass or aluminum in the recycling bin. It's simple!
Upcycle: be creative- turn something into a great piece of art- how about turning old cd's into jewelry? For lots of great ideas check out- http://toponlineengineeringdegree.com/?page_id=116
And last, but not least-
Cycle- take a bike for a spin, leave your car on the garage. Yesterday I traveled a meager 6 miles, but got to visit my brother's family (leaving with a load of asparagus), dropped off a thank-you note at a neighbor's, visited with 2 women in my community that I respect a lot (building social capital!), and ran into my aunt, uncle, cousin, and cousin-to-be (his fiance). Biking creates more opportunities for building relationships, saves gas, and gives great exercise as well! My parents blessed me with a new-for-me bike with a sweet saddlebag as a graduation present.
I don't have internet very often right now, but look for a future post with a few pictures about being an urban farm girl :)
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Blessing of Friends
Last night I had a few friends over, girls who have been a part of my life for a long time. Now, we came together as young women, ready to talk and share and laugh together. To facilitate this gathering, I provided the venue and food. I love to bring people together around a table.
My menu was based entirely on the "Simply in Season" Cookbook, with a fresh green salad with "Raspberry Vinaigrette" dressing, a quiche (modified from the "Spring Quiche Trio"), and "Rhubarb Pie". A simple and delicious meal when shared with friends.
Alas, I didn't take any pictures of the fruits of my labor- so you'll just have to take my word for it that it was good. I would definitely recommend the rhubarb pie- I made it with the shortbread crust, and my friends (who aren't always the most adventurous in culinary matters) were quite smitten.
On another note, I look forward to deepening another set of friendship this summer as I live in Harrisburg, and work at the Joshua Farm (http://joshuafarm.wordpress.com/), an urban farm that provides employment opportunities to youth and deliciously fresh veggies to the surrounding community. I had my first two days of work last week, and I'm off to the farm again tomorrow morning. The rain has put us a bit behind where we'd like to be, but we'll manage :)
Be on the lookout for some fun pictures of what's going on at Harrisburg's urban farm!
My menu was based entirely on the "Simply in Season" Cookbook, with a fresh green salad with "Raspberry Vinaigrette" dressing, a quiche (modified from the "Spring Quiche Trio"), and "Rhubarb Pie". A simple and delicious meal when shared with friends.
Alas, I didn't take any pictures of the fruits of my labor- so you'll just have to take my word for it that it was good. I would definitely recommend the rhubarb pie- I made it with the shortbread crust, and my friends (who aren't always the most adventurous in culinary matters) were quite smitten.
On another note, I look forward to deepening another set of friendship this summer as I live in Harrisburg, and work at the Joshua Farm (http://joshuafarm.wordpress.com/), an urban farm that provides employment opportunities to youth and deliciously fresh veggies to the surrounding community. I had my first two days of work last week, and I'm off to the farm again tomorrow morning. The rain has put us a bit behind where we'd like to be, but we'll manage :)
Be on the lookout for some fun pictures of what's going on at Harrisburg's urban farm!
Friday, May 13, 2011
$222.59
That's how much my roommate and I spent on food this semester. Split two ways, that was $111.29 for each of us. Granted, we had spent $500.61 last semester, and some of those staples were still in our kitchen. But for 2 girls to spend only $723.20 for 8 months of food, I think we did pretty well. This was a definite money saver for us- since meal plans (per person) range from $1,400-1,900 for the same amount of time. 1/4 the cost. Plus, we had a lot of fun cooking for ourselves.
I must add a few disclaimers. I spent quite a bit of time last summer canning peaches, applesauce, pears, and freezing berries. I helped my brother to dig potatoes for an afternoon in exchange for a basket of my own. I froze sweet corn, braided onions, grew garlic, and froze green beans. In addition, my parents and brother generously provided my roomie and I with meat and eggs. We didn't eat a lot of meat, but a sufficient amount.
My roomie also worked in the dining hall, I worked in college catering, so she ate a few meals a week there, and I was able to eat at work every once in a while.
Oh, and I can't forget about Panera bread. My church gets day-old bread, so I get creative in incorporating that into our diet.
But, we know how to cook- curry, tacos, tabouleh salad, quesadillas, soups, and lots more. We didn't buy cereal, but simply ate rolled oats and yogurt with frozen berries, or made omelets for breakfast. We were even members of a CSA for the fall- receiving fresh vegetables from a local farmer. We wanted to support Spiral Path Farms, and to not have to make weekly trips to the grocery store for fresh veggies.
Tomorrow I graduate. It is so hard to believe that these four years are over. It's hard to say goodbye, but I'm looking forward to the next steps. It feels so good to have achieved this milestone, and I am doing my best to celebrate it well. This week has been full of sweet times with friends- I have gone tubing down the creek, had multiple picnics with different people, slept out in a hammock (twice), played a few rounds of banana grams, drove to my house for lawn games and a campfire, and lots of other little sweet blessings.
My apartment is nearly packed up- I made one last batch of granola since I had just a bit of honey and oil left in their containers, and a big bag of rolled oats. I really like granola- a little too much- so I try to ration how often I make it! We'll see how long I can make this batch last.
I must add a few disclaimers. I spent quite a bit of time last summer canning peaches, applesauce, pears, and freezing berries. I helped my brother to dig potatoes for an afternoon in exchange for a basket of my own. I froze sweet corn, braided onions, grew garlic, and froze green beans. In addition, my parents and brother generously provided my roomie and I with meat and eggs. We didn't eat a lot of meat, but a sufficient amount.
My roomie also worked in the dining hall, I worked in college catering, so she ate a few meals a week there, and I was able to eat at work every once in a while.
Oh, and I can't forget about Panera bread. My church gets day-old bread, so I get creative in incorporating that into our diet.
But, we know how to cook- curry, tacos, tabouleh salad, quesadillas, soups, and lots more. We didn't buy cereal, but simply ate rolled oats and yogurt with frozen berries, or made omelets for breakfast. We were even members of a CSA for the fall- receiving fresh vegetables from a local farmer. We wanted to support Spiral Path Farms, and to not have to make weekly trips to the grocery store for fresh veggies.
Tomorrow I graduate. It is so hard to believe that these four years are over. It's hard to say goodbye, but I'm looking forward to the next steps. It feels so good to have achieved this milestone, and I am doing my best to celebrate it well. This week has been full of sweet times with friends- I have gone tubing down the creek, had multiple picnics with different people, slept out in a hammock (twice), played a few rounds of banana grams, drove to my house for lawn games and a campfire, and lots of other little sweet blessings.
My apartment is nearly packed up- I made one last batch of granola since I had just a bit of honey and oil left in their containers, and a big bag of rolled oats. I really like granola- a little too much- so I try to ration how often I make it! We'll see how long I can make this batch last.
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