Our little equine family is a tight unit.
They've all been together most of their lives,
and if I have my way... will live out the rest of their lives
in each others' company.
It makes my heart happy.
We've developed a trust over the years... the equines and I.
Whereas the donkeys seek my company and enjoy my attention,
following me around like shadows...
the horses take note at my presence and continue their business.
I'm sure, most days, they'd rather I didn't fuss with them.
But when I ask them to stand still for me, they oblige.
I am, after all, the "bringer of food"!
Occasionally, curiosity gets the better of them,
and they must see what I am doing...
but, most times they could care less.
Still, they have a gentle way around me...
and a gentle way around my little people as well.
I trust this herd and they trust me.
One of my favorite moments here on the farm is to just sit in the midst of them
while they peacefully munch.
Sitting still, mind quiet, surrounded by so much strength and gentleness...
listening....
my heart is happy.
***********************************
I thought we could continue our discussion on sustainable practices...
if you don't mind.
I had talked about our use of food-safe silicone bags as a way of
replacing plastic food storage bags, but wanted to show you another alternative.
BioBag is a company that makes compostable storage bags.
I began using their kitchen compost liners years ago,
and this year bought some of their food storage bags.
I am happy with these.
They also make trash bags, pet waste bags, etc.
I purchase mine through my Grove Collaborative subscription.
A subscription gives you free shipping.
Each month I receive a box that contains whatever I might need for the month...
tree-free toilet paper and tissues
(made from bamboo and sugar cane... and yes, I like them),
cleaning supplies, personal care items, etc.
This service and a little pre-planning keeps me from having to run to the store
for these items.
(again, I am not compensated for sharing these ideas with you)
I have completely changed the way that I shop.
Whereas I used to just buy everything that I needed at the grocery store,
I have had to diversify in order to make sustainable choices.
This is an ever-changing process, too, as I strive to completely eliminate plastics
from our home life.
We have also made a conscious change in how we eat and how we prepare what we eat.
We buy what little meat we eat from local farms.
Going meat-free, or greatly reducing your consumption is one of the
best changes you can make for a healthier planet.
(this is a subject that could fill an entire blog post if you want)
We eat a lot of salads, soups, and stir-fried organic veggies.
Because of the dangerous chemicals used to make non-stick cookware,
if you don't mind.
I had talked about our use of food-safe silicone bags as a way of
replacing plastic food storage bags, but wanted to show you another alternative.
BioBag is a company that makes compostable storage bags.
I began using their kitchen compost liners years ago,
and this year bought some of their food storage bags.
I am happy with these.
They also make trash bags, pet waste bags, etc.
I purchase mine through my Grove Collaborative subscription.
A subscription gives you free shipping.
Each month I receive a box that contains whatever I might need for the month...
tree-free toilet paper and tissues
(made from bamboo and sugar cane... and yes, I like them),
cleaning supplies, personal care items, etc.
This service and a little pre-planning keeps me from having to run to the store
for these items.
(again, I am not compensated for sharing these ideas with you)
I have completely changed the way that I shop.
Whereas I used to just buy everything that I needed at the grocery store,
I have had to diversify in order to make sustainable choices.
This is an ever-changing process, too, as I strive to completely eliminate plastics
from our home life.
We have also made a conscious change in how we eat and how we prepare what we eat.
We buy what little meat we eat from local farms.
Going meat-free, or greatly reducing your consumption is one of the
best changes you can make for a healthier planet.
(this is a subject that could fill an entire blog post if you want)
We eat a lot of salads, soups, and stir-fried organic veggies.
Because of the dangerous chemicals used to make non-stick cookware,
I have switched to mostly cast-iron,
with a few stainless steel sauce/soup pots as well.
I recently found this cast-iron wok by Lodge and am really happy with it.
Somewhere along the way, years ago, bad information was disseminated
about the consumption of saturated fats in our diet.
It was about that time that non-stick cookware came onto the market...
eliminating the need for fats in cooking.
What we, as consumers, didn't know was that the chemicals used to make
this cookware and bakeware non-stick caused cancer and birth defects (verified).
Sadly, these PFOA/PFA's are already in each and every one of us...
and in the environment around us.
(Thank you, Dupont. Make sure you see "Dark Waters"... a movie dramatization
of a true story about this very subject.)
(Thank you, Dupont. Make sure you see "Dark Waters"... a movie dramatization
of a true story about this very subject.)
Fast forward to today, and research has shown that butter
and naturally occurring fats are not bad for us.
(However... man-made fats such as margarine and shortening
should be avoided like the plague...
should be avoided like the plague...
they are manufactured with hydrogenated oils, or "trans-fats"... which are "bad" fats.
Trans-fats are associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes,
obesity and high blood pressure.
I hesitate to call these "foods".)
Trans-fats are associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes,
obesity and high blood pressure.
I hesitate to call these "foods".)
Personally, I cook and bake with butter and extra virgin olive oil, and occasionally coconut oil;
and for high heat I use high-oleic expeller pressed sunflower oil.
Wow... I hadn't intended to go off on that tangent...
obviously, you can see that I am passionate about this subject.
Lastly, I love my kitchen and have tried to fill it with wonderful
old pieces from days gone by.
It's one of my happy places and I try to make it as homey as possible.
I do love burning candles in the kitchen.
But, I only burn candles made with beeswax or soy wax (vegetable-based).
Normal wax candles are made with paraffin which emit petroleum
by-products (VOC's) when burned... basically causing air pollution in your home.
(Sorry, Yankee Candles)
As you can see, I put a lot of thought into what we consume...
it's the byproduct of an overly-developed sense of right and wrong...
(not always a good thing!)
It has been a process and it is ongoing.
Please don't hesitate to share your own ideas with me so that we can all learn
to be better Earthlings!!
If you've had enough of my un-solicited advice, don't hesitate to type "Stop"
in the comments!
obviously, you can see that I am passionate about this subject.
Lastly, I love my kitchen and have tried to fill it with wonderful
old pieces from days gone by.
It's one of my happy places and I try to make it as homey as possible.
I do love burning candles in the kitchen.
But, I only burn candles made with beeswax or soy wax (vegetable-based).
Normal wax candles are made with paraffin which emit petroleum
by-products (VOC's) when burned... basically causing air pollution in your home.
(Sorry, Yankee Candles)
As you can see, I put a lot of thought into what we consume...
it's the byproduct of an overly-developed sense of right and wrong...
(not always a good thing!)
It has been a process and it is ongoing.
Please don't hesitate to share your own ideas with me so that we can all learn
to be better Earthlings!!
If you've had enough of my un-solicited advice, don't hesitate to type "Stop"
in the comments!
Comments
Lisa
Spring Peeper Farm
Munching “songs!”
Liking your “sustainable practices” info and thinking about bits, pieces, pluses, minus . . .
.
I am also reaching toward more sustainability and will take measures this year to decrease the amount of plastic in our lives. It does make it difficult when others in the house are not on board.
Wondering what you use for small trash can liners and dishwasher (machine) soap?
Keep the great ideas comin'!
Yesterday as I stood in Trader Joe's I looked at the entire refrigerated wall of items in plastic- fruit, cheese, meat, vegetables...it made me so sad. I didn't buy any of it, I just couldn't. It seemed overwhelming to think of how we eliminate this dependency on plastic. We personally have started making changes, but boy is it hard. But...we all have to start somewhere!
Love all the photos, stories, loved the snow video this week! Lisa G in TN.
Your kitchen is very photogenic..Pictures taken with you plastic camera...sorry, I just had to throw that in there..just kidding of course..
You have a wonderful equine family..You have taught them well...I know....horses live in herds naturally xxoo!!
Enjoy your weekend..
I too prefer to burn candles and am always looking for something that burns free. Will you share the best candles you have grown to love and their scents? I love a good scented candle and would love some new ideas.
Thanks! Margy in KY
Sadly, they do not have a website. I always tend to buy candles that smell like baked goods. I suppose I like to torture myself in this manner! HAHA!! There are also a few primitive shops that I like to buy my candles in as well... and enjoy brands such as... Antique Candle Co. and Finding Home Farms Candles
At this point. Even the small incremental changes in thought and action I have made are useful and there are more to come. Thank you for always being an inspiration on so many fronts!
I appreciate the effort you and your family are making to minimize your impact on our planet. However, I cringe at the remark that eating less meat is the best impact one can make. Please add the word "feedlot" in that sentence. Grazing animals that are managed in a holistic manner are ABSOLUTELY BENEFICIAL for our planet. Please check out the book, Cows Save the Planet, by Judith Schwartz or Dirt to Soil, by Gabe Brown. Or else you can check out the numerous and very interesting talks by Gabe Brown, Greg Judy, or Joel Salatin on YouTube. It is the huge monoculture agricultural techniques that are extremely detrimental for the planet and our health, and our rural culture. It is tillage that is damaging, and that is not how grass-fed meats are raised. Ironically, tillage is used to raise what is eaten in a vegan diet. Please check these recommended sites out and let me know what you think. I offer these suggestions in a respectful manner.
I actually changed to this particular style of blog so that you can easily access old posts. If you check the sidebar, you will see my profile. Directly beneath that is "archive". Click on that and you can access every old post. Also, at the top of the blog... on the right hand side is a search bar where you can look up specific words that appeared in posts and a list of posts with that word will appear. Hope this helps!!
Hugs from the farm...
I love your ideals
And the advice that you give
For serving "good" meals,
for caring for earth,
by doing what's right
to be a good Earthling
with all of your might.
I look up to you, Bev
for all that you do!
Wish I lived on a farm
and worked just like you.
But I can't be a farmer
It is such a pity...
My exercise is Zumba,
Since I live in the city.
As a widow, alone
at my age: seventy five,
I feel I am blessed
To be healthy, (and) alive!