It Takes a Few Minutes

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Are we made to waste paper? Is it our nature to waste paper? Will there ever be a day where we “paper-waste” no more? Possibly, not really, maybe respectively. We may never live in a society where paper waste is non-existent, but the least we can do is use it more wisely. We use money wisely, we use timely wisely, but using paper wisely?

Merriam-Webster dictionary now includes “junk mail” and “junk E-mail” as additional definitions for the word mail. When the concept of a mailbox was created, certainly there was never consideration to the fact that something other than personal, wanted mail would ever be placed in the box. Today, collecting mail from a personal box, whether it be postal or E-mail, requires a garbage can in tow or a quick finger on the delete button. We could blame it on the government and say we are “government controlled,” when you learn that the USPS is fighting to keep your mailboxes full of junk-mail because “standard” mail (JUNK MAIL) “has become the lifeblood of the U.S. Postal Service and that jobs depend on it.” Hmm. The end of junk mail will jeopardize the jobs of thousands. In hard economic times like these or in any time, the loss of a job is not preferred. So, keep the junk mail coming?

Unless your child is disciplined beyond his years, a trip to the bank or post office involves picking up several “paper souvenirs” including brochures, deposit slips, etc. If these items make it to the car, the next stop for them is usually the garbage can. We start early with how we treat paper.

There may never be a day where paper waste doesn’t occur, but there are several things we can do to promote better uses (or none at all) of paper. If you are tired of receiving catalogs from “Bob’s Meat Shack,” when you’re a vegetarian or home decorating catalogs when your best piece of furniture is a tattered couch hanging on from your college days of 17 years ago, then make a choice and decide “what gets in.” If catalogs are not the problem, but regular junk mail is, then you can “get paid” to reduce it yourself or pay Green Dimes to do it for you.

All it takes is a few minutes to dispose of your paper in a recycling container so it can be recycled. If you do not have curbside pick-up, then you can always find a local recycling center. If you work outside your home, then hopefully, your office already has a recycling program. If not, then learn how to start one and become a ”green trend setter.” Many schools are already participating in recycling programs and it is a great way to involve children in the recycling process and educate them on consumption reduction.

As far as junk E-mail, if anyone comes up with ways to reduce if not eliminate, then please let me know.

The Tree That Started it All (I Hope)

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We had so much fun completing this mission that we will be planting more trees later this year. I was also inspired to go ahead and start another herb garden of which I'll write more about later.

As usual, I had three willing and eager workers who were ready to work on and complete this project. They were already making plans for the "fruit of their labor."

We picked up a Fuji apple tree at a local nursery. Fuji apples are a red, mixed breed (Red Delicious and Rawls Jennet) apple with a sweet and crispy taste. The Little Green Secrets (LGS) mission crew go through many of these apples in a week when they're in season.

Dad also joined us and we appreciate his "heavy and very strong hands" because there was alot of digging. We send a special THANK YOU! to Dad for his help because we were able to find every tool except the one he needed to dig the very deep hole. Dad had to flex his muscles and work really hard. This mission took a little longer than expected.

I bet if we had let them continue to dig, then they would have dug a large enough hole by themselves. I will put that hard work to use next week to pull weeds. Somehow, it will become a school lesson. I manage to turn anything into a school lesson.



Once the hole was ready, the tree plopped right into place. A lot of hard word for a simple finish. After that, the LGS mission crew finished up with organic soil and water to give our new tree a healthy start.

We are quite pleased with our little tree.
All of us are looking forward to enjoying local and pesticide free apples from our tree by walking outside to our backyard. Now, how to keep the deer from doing the same?

Behind the Vegetarian Learning Curve

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It is finally here! My copy of The Vegan Lunch Box - FIRST EDITION.Yes, first edition and it does matter when there are copies being sold for more than $100. No, I am not one of those who paid the “new retail” price, but I did pay more than the original price of $22.95 and I’m happy to own it. I still can't get over the fact that I am just now reading the book, as well as the blog that started it all more than three years ago. Jennifer blogged about the vegan meal creations for her son, James Henry, who was entering the first grade. She wasn’t worried about picking out the popular notebook, colorful #2 pencils, or making sure he was dressed in the latest fashions as he started back to school. Jennifer was more concerned with what her young son, who had grown up eating a vegan diet, would eat and want to eat while being surrounded by new and tempting “food” that was less nutritious and being offered in his school cafeteria.

Those concerns were eventually proved unnecessary and you will see why as you read through her blog (which works for me as a companion to the book), which show pictures (yea – I love pictures) that may convert even the hard core carnivore, a write up and summary of the meal, and James’ “critique” of what mom prepared for lunch that day. The meals are packed and served in traditional Bento style which has been popularized in recent years by Laptop Lunches, a company that promotes waste-free lunches.

As a homeschooling mom, my children will not be tempted by the possible less than nutritious offerings of a public school cafeteria, but they could be tempted by the same if I fail to offer them healthy foods at home. Because I am a lacto-ovo vegetarian (I do eat fish occasionally), my children get more fruit and vegetables by default because I don’t know how to cook meat, other than baked chicken and scrambled eggs, and I cook and serve what I know. Fortunate for them and easy for me.

I was a little disappointed because I was hoping there were more pictures, but I’ll settle for the pictures Jennifer offers on her blog. My oldest starts his first official school year (more on that later – another blog) this fall and we will use as many of the meals as we can. There are quite a few recipes I can't wait to try and some of them will be served as dinner meals.

An updated version of the book is due to be released within the next month, so you won’t have to worry about locating, and paying the price, for a first edition copy to learn how to create your own vegan lunchbox.

What's Cooking? Garlic, Chick-pea, and Spinach Soup

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I don't know what it is about this soup, but I can't stop eating it. The first time I made it, I didn't like it. How is that for an introduction? It was a few months later that I decided to try it again because it has two ingredients that I find tasty; spinach and chick-peas (also known as garbanzo beans). Since I'm sure you are familiar with spinach, I'll just tell you a little more about chick-peas.

Chick-peas are a staple in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. They are part of the legume family, with a nutty flavor and creamy texture, and are a great source of carbohydrates, folate, zinc,and protein. Since they are a legume, lengthy cooking is required before using them when purchasing them dry. The American Diabetes Association includes chick-peas as a healthy and recommended food in the "grains and starches" section of their food pyramid. I usually (all the time) use canned chick-peas because of the lengthy preparation process (24+ soaking hours and then cooking hours). If you've got the time (and the patience), then go for it otherwise, look for canned chick-peas like Eden Foods (available online or at most high-end grocery stores) brand that doesn't add extra salt to their beans (plus, they're organic). Canned beans keeps this quick and simple recipe, just that.

You may be a fan of chick-peas and not even know it. They are used to make hummus, dips, sandwich spreads, veggie burgers, and you may have noticed these "hazelnut-looking" balls as accents on a green leafed salad. Garlic, Chick-pea, and Spinach Soup is "What's cooking?" this week.

Visit Just Bean Recipes for more chick-pea recipes. Because these are a favorite food of mine, I will also feature more chick-pea recipes on future "What's cooking?" editions.

Quick Tip: Check the production date on the package of dried chick-peas because old beans will not soften regardless of soaking time.

recipe: E-mail me for Garlic, Chick-pea, and Spinach Soup.

Health Rich and Chemical Free

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FREE! What a great word especially when we are referring to being “chemical-free.” The information is overwhelming when first presented with how many dangerous chemicals are in everyday cleaning products that we use. The thought of parting with a “close friend” is difficult. As a previous fan of Oxy-Clean, I could not believe that there were more natural alternatives for making my whites whiter or removing those pleasure driven, baseball base sliding stains from my son’s pants. Many people continue to use the cleaning products they do, not necessarily because they “love” them, but more so because there is a comfort level and a familiarity with them. Our mother’s mother used the products, our mothers used the products, and not wanting to end the legacy, we now use the products. The cleaners perform effectively and we know just how much to measure; we can do it with our eyes closed.

If you have a strong connection with bleach (it may be the fumes), a love affair with lemon-scented soft scrub, or enjoy spending the afternoon with your floral spraying aerosol can, then consider taking a vacation where the air is clear and the same cleaning pleasures and effectiveness can be obtained from using natural resources. There is no guarantee that you will enjoy cleaning any more than you already do, but there will be less toxic fumes and face masks are not required. A little mixing of natural ingredients, some clutter removal of unused and unnecessary items, and time-saving tips that help you enjoy healthier living are some of the subjects Ellen Sandbeck discusses in her book Organic Housekeeping.


A resourceful Web site for healthier living is Healthy Child, Healthy World. It was established by Jim and Nancy Chuda who lost their daughter Colette to an illness, which they believe was a result of exposure to toxins. The Web site promotes education on toxin reduction in the environment; in schools, the community, and a little closer - our homes. The organization continues its efforts in the recent release of the book Healthy Child Healthy World. It not only looks at the effects chemicals have on our health, but also addresses ways we can reduce, if not eliminate other toxins in our home with simple steps like removing our shoes when, if not before, entering our home. The book is an informative read and offers suggestions that are easy to implement in an already busy life.

Sustain and Save

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Repurposing, swapping or sharing, or consigning items is not only a great way to save money, but also a great way to make money. Since our reality is now $4 gallon gas with rising food prices, it makes more sense to spend our dollars wisely and get as much value from them as we can. New is not always better when used is down right functional, serves the need, and promotes sustainability while also saving you money.

The idea of "used" is not so taboo anymore. Repurposing, ‘using or converting for use in another format or product:’ (ex: denim organizer, pillow case dress, and more), is a great way to sustain the “life” of an item, promote creativity, and save you a few dollars by not having to buy new.

Swapping and sharing or trading items is something that many of us already do whether outfitting children through growing spurts or sitting down great read. and enjoying a If your need for an item is only for a short period of time, then choosing one of these options is another alternative that can save you money.

Consigning is not a new concept, but has become big business moving from the familiar church hall to events being held bi-annually and annually at convention centers and fairgrounds. A following has continued to the Internet where quality, used items, and a "great deal" can also be found from the convenience of your home.

I am a product of the '80s (call it good or bad) and spent quite a few years browsing and shopping in thrift stores. I leaned more towards vintage clothing and found some great buys. Over the years, I kept a few and it has been long enough for those pieces to cycle through and become stylish once again - for the third, fourth, fifth(?) time. I'm not suggesting that you continue hanging onto that "favorite" knee-high skirt or Cinderella ball gown waiting for that ultimate evening that may never come because you "really just don't dress like that." I am suggesting that you LET IT GO! Let someone else get some good use of it and if it is really yours "it will come back to you." Does that work with clothing?

My daughter has been blessed to receive clothing, from a good friend, that has taken her through past seasons and will carry her through the next year or so. My friend couldn't wait to get these clothes out of her home. Her daughter had outgrown them and she saw no sense in keeping them and creating clutter while someone else could get more use out of them. We have been and are still using the clothing. After my daughter outgrows them, then I will do the same and pass on whatever is in good condition to another who is able to use. Yes, I'll probably include my vintage treasures.

Making Wheat at Micheli Farms

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We, along with some fellow homeschoolers, spent a day at the Micheli Farm. The site we went to boast 300+ acres (and that is only one of the family farms). “Farmer Mike,” as he is so affectionately called, his wife Mary, and their four children farm this branch of Grandfather Micheli’s farms where they grow prunes (shown in the picture to the left) , peaches, rice, pomegranates, walnuts, and wheat. Our field trip was to learn about how wheat is processed before it leaves the farm where it is grown. The Micheli Farm has 44 dedicated acres to the growing of wheat. For a visual, imagine 44 American football fields of wheat (I missed that picture.). That is a lot of wheat of which we walked completing around to get to the heart of their wheat processing system.

Harvest reaping was just a few days away for this wheat that was planted around Thanksgiving. The end of a long preparation process completed before the seeds were even planted. Soil preparation includes plowing the fields to pass the surface of the soil which allows moisture to better penetrate the ground where the seeds will be planted. Farmers also use plowing to rid the field of weeds. Can you imagine pulling weeds,
by hand, from 44 acres? I have a difficult enough time pulling weeds from my flower bed. The seeds are planted using a drill that drops the seeds and covers them in soil.


A farmer has to really love what he does because growing wheat is alot of HARD work which may explain why wheat farming can be traced, for generations, in one family. Growing wheat is a family tradition. It is said that a wheat farmer is "land and equipment rich, but cash poor." To a wheat farmer, the stalk that Farmer Mike is holding, may be "the icing on the cake" or the "butter on the bread."

The wheat was going to be watered a few more days using a hand built watering system that was powered by a John Deere tractor.
They planted the wheat on a slight incline which allows the water to flow across and over all 44 acres.

Micheli Farm's harvest is used by major food corporations. The next time you open a can of peaches, suck on a prune, crack a walnut, or slice a loaf of bread, you may be enjoying the hard work of a third generation farming family.

In case you're wondering, Farmer Mike is wearing a car racing sweatshirt (Shootout).