Green Gal

Six and seven-year-olds up to their necks in creek water, exercising control over their vocal cords to keep the scene as naturally-serene as possible. Bug nets swooping through algae-filled creek water, searching for water bugs to find out how healthy the creek water really was. Munching on sandwiches and snacks under the oak trees, surrounded by the beauty of green foliage and yellow meadows. This is Ridge Runners camp. Eric Nicholas, City of Pleasanton naturalist, runs this summer camp with a philosophy that incorporates his adventurous childhood into a fun, engaging camp that teaches the value, beauty, and wonder of nature to children ages 6-11. As a child, Nicholas's parents would send him outside to play after school, a locked screen door keeping him out. He chose to explore the natural world around him. When he was older, he spent three years living in various wilderness settings. He'd learn how to survive in different environments from elders at Indian reservations and p...

Hey everyone, sorry for the absence. My sister is home from the hospital and doing great so I finally have a chance to update my blog! I spent some time at my aunt's house in the country. She helped me figure out some tasty, simple vegan recipes that I can make for dinner at home. I tried out new things, like making tortilla chips and seasoning tofu ground beef with taco sauce for making tacos (a major staple for me--I eat tacos all the time because they're so easy!). I also had breakfast burritos with tofu sausages and hash browns and ate frosting-less strawberry Pop Tarts. At this point, I'm relying on substitutes for meat for a lot of meals because it's a lot easier than making vegetables with rice or other grains for every meal. And it makes it more normal for me to eat with a group--like up at the cabin with the entire family. Here are some great vegan foods that I've tried and enjoy: - Morning Star Farms® Hickory BBQ Riblets (great for when your non-vegan fri...

First off, a quick update: my hair is still not super oily. I can feel the oil when I touch the top of my head, but no one can tell. The make-it-yourself deodorant works, as long as you don't go on a bike ride at top speed and sweat it off (however, I may not have applied enough that day because I used a blush brush...still have not found a suitable applicator. I tried a powder puff and that put too much. Cotton balls come apart and they aren't reusable.) Veganism is still going strong...but you'll see in a few moments why I've been challenged by my options and why it hasn't been at the forefront of my mind every time I eat something (although it's not like I've eaten meat or cheese...just things that may contain small amounts of dairy). Since Saturday, my family and I have been in and out of the hospital with my sister. She had a kidney transplant on Monday and is doing great! We plan on being here for a few weeks, staying nearby at a Ronald McDonald Hou...

It's been almost a week since I first washed my hair with just water--no shampoo. And it's looking great! Before I went no shampoo , I used LUSH shampoo, and I never style it with fancy chemical product, so it's been pretty natural for awhile now. I usually only wash it two or three times a week, so the transition shouldn't be too difficult. So far I've washed it twice with just water and it's as thick and lovely as before. My hair doesn't get oily very easily, so fortunately, it's only a little bit oily near the top of my head, but not noticeably so. Now I'm saving materials (and money!) and reducing the amount of chemicals that go down the drain--all while becoming more natural and less reliant on chemicals and industry. I'm trying to convince my mom to try it, but she's used to shampoo and using styling products and making her hair look nice, so it would take a lot to convince her. I tested out Melinda's deodorant recipe of baking so...

I've compiled for myself some vegan resources that I hope will be helpful to me as I embark on my vegan voyage tomorrow. I tried to find a printable, pocket-sized list of animal ingredients that I may not be aware of when looking at ingredient lists. From PETA , I found a list with explanations and alternatives and then condensed the ingredients down, removing the additional information. Here is the list (You can copy and past into a word document, change font to 8-pt. Arial, make the page landscape and all margins .9 and it should all fit onto one page that you can print and fold up into a wallet.): Adrenaline. Alanine. Albumen. Albumin. Alcloxa. Aldioxa. Aliphatic Alcohol. Allantoin. Alligator Skin. Alpha-Hydroxy Acids. Ambergris. Amino Acids. Aminosuccinate Acid. Angora. Animal Fats and Oils. Animal Hair. Arachidonic Acid. Arachidyl Proprionate. Aspartic Acid. Aminosuccinate Acid. Bee Pollen. Bee Products. Beeswax. Honeycomb. Benzoic Acid. Beta Carotene. Biotin. Vitamin H. Vitam...

The past few days, I've been thinking about what my goals are for greening my lifestyle. I scrolled through countless posts on The Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op blog , found awesome recipes for making my own soap and deodorant , and learned that you don't really need shampoo . And I've compiled a list of things that I'd like to try out in the coming month. Here is what I've come up with. Please feel free to figure out what works for you from my list and apply it to your life. It always feels rejuvenating to make goals and stick with them. Around the house: - Change my light bulbs to CFL/LED - Hang more laundry to dry outside since the weather has been so warm - Attempt making my own deodorant, soap, lip balm , and cleaning products - Go no 'poo--shampoo that is - Boycott paper towels and use old rags instead--and remind my mom and sister to do so, as well - Finally get a bucket to put under the faucet for the shower water while it heats up - Turn the TV off more ...

I've been a little neglectful of my blog these past weeks. I was camping, cabining, and spending time with my sister, so I haven't had a chance to sign on and write. But now I have a chance, and figure I should post a Meatless Mondays meal since I haven't in a while. Salad pita sandwich Ingredients: - your favorite pita bread - organic lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions, olives, guacamole--anything you enjoy in salads (except meat or chicken, of course!) - your favorite organic salad dressing--avoid dressings with dairy products if you want to go cow-free for your Meatless Monday . My personal favorite dressing is honey-mustard. Directions: 1. Chop carrots, tomatoes, onions, olives, etc. into bite-sized pieces. 2. Open the pita bread pocket so you can stuff things inside without things falling through the other end. 3. Stuff lettuce in to the bottom, being careful not to poke through the bread. 4. In which ever order you'd like, place the different veggies into the pock...