Posts Tagged ‘ shopping ’

How to: Drawstring Produce Bags

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How to: Drawstring Produce Bags

  You’re not still using those flimsy plastic produce bags at the grocery store are you? You are? Well, let’s just fix that right now, shall we? If you have a sewing machine and can sew a straight seam, you can make these. Of course, even if you don’t have a sewing machine, technically you could make these with a needle and thread, but that might be a little more effort than you’re willing to put out. Instead, find a friend with a sewing machine who will make these for you teach you to make these in exchange for a nice cuppa or lunch. Start by cutting two pieces of fabric, about 12″ x 14″ and then take a peek at my instructions for sewing mini bags (there are plenty of photos). You’ll essentially use the same technique, making French seams for a cleaner finish. With wrong sides facing, sew a straight stitch along three edges using a 1/8″ seam allowance. I chose to leave the opening on the 12″ side of the bag, but you do what makes the most sense to you. Turn inside out and press seams. Now use a 3/8″ seam allowance to again sew...

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Black Friday Shopping – NOT!

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Year after year I’ve opted out of shopping on Black Friday, in part because we’re just not that into the latest “stuff” and in part because the thought of those crowds freaks. Me. Out. Black Friday to me is consumerism at its best. Consumerism for the sake of consumerism is something I’m not much of a fan of, so it’s easy for me to opt out. I suspect that many of my readers are on board with that sentiment, while some of you are kind of in a pushme-pullyou kind of existence: you like the idea of less, but when it comes down to it, it’s hard. If you’re truly interested in a more sustainable, less commercial holiday, first you must know that while retailers have dubbed this Black Friday, some folks in the UK are celebrating it as Buy Nothing Day. I’m in. It’s good incentive, yes? If you are headed out to shop today, consider skipping the big box stores and their sales unless you really, truly have been waiting to buy that one specific thing at a lower price. (I’m all for saving a little dough.) If you’re just shopping, looking for the right gift for...

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A (More) Sustainable Turkey Dinner

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A (More) Sustainable Turkey Dinner

That title may be a bit deceiving because in truth, the turkey was a struggle for me. But Thanksgiving and turkey dinners go hand in hand, right? While we’ve opted out in past years (pizza!), this year we decided on a full-on traditional stuff your guts spread. Here’s how it’s going to shake down: Turkey: I did not raise my own bird as author Laura Grace Weldon did. As far as I know, there’s no place to get a locally raised turkey on this island. Next stop: grocery store. Here, my choices range from the familiar Butterball to obscure brands that seem to appear only during the Thanksgiving shopping week, along with several organic and free range options. Everything’s equal as far as packaging (plastic), but what’s inside? Some were injected with solutions containing water, salt, modified food starch, sodium phosphate and natural flavors. Others were “minimally processed.” I couldn’t bring myself to fork over nearly $5/lb for an organic bird, so I opted for a “free range” bird who lived the good life and didn’t have needle tracks along its wings. Mashed potatoes: I didn’t grow potatoes this year. Organic potatoes are unheard of here. I figured I’d...

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Organic Foods and Bulk Buying Options

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Organic Foods and Bulk Buying Options

  I do not claim to be fully self-sufficient. While I continually strive to improve that, there are just some things that I’ll never be able to produce myself – and I’m not willing to do without. I still depend on growers in other climates to produce the wheat, the oats, and the corn that I use in baking, granola, and polenta (among other things). However, when I buy those products I aim to buy whole, organic, non-GMO versions that are often unavailable (or very expensive) at the supermarket. Buying these in large quantities allows me to keep the ingredients I use regularly on hand and means fewer trips to the store for supplies, which lowers my gasoline consumption. Bulk buying also eliminates waste – there’s often less packaging to deal with. Finding a source for organic foods and bulk products can be difficult. Food co-ops and bulk buying clubs are often private; fine if you know somebody who knows somebody, but if not? There could be one right down the street and you wouldn’t know about it. Your local health food store – presuming you have one – might be willing to order items in bulk for you....

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How do you Bag It?

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How do you Bag It?

  I watched Bag It over the weekend. The movie begins as a “regular guy,” Jeb Berrier, wonders about the plastic bag he uses to carry a yogurt home in. As he researches and learns more about the environmental impact of choosing a plastic bag, his questions lead to more questions. What about plastic bottles?  How does buying plastic impact the earth and our health? And what about the new baby he has on the way? I found the movie to be reminiscent of a Michael Moore documentary. The horrifying facts presented are balanced with a sense of humor (which I think helps viewers refrain from freaking out over the content). We particularly enjoyed the exchange between Jeb and the fast food restaurants as he tried to convince them to put his order in containers he brought from home rather than the disposable ones. The restaurants wouldn’t do it, due to cross-contamination issues. Jeb noted that they didn’t mind the cross-contamination that happened when money (is there anything dirtier?) to pay for the meal came through the window. As someone who’s trying to avoid BPA in our diets, I found it really interesting when Jeb strayed from his usual...

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Ten Tips for a Healthy, Sustainable Diet on a Budget

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Ten Tips for a Healthy, Sustainable Diet on a Budget

Over on the Attainable Sustainable Facebook page, I posted this video of Robyn O’Brien discussing America’s food system at TEDxAustin. It’s a very compelling video in which Ms. O’Brien offers a calm and concise look at the foods we’re feeding our families. For instance, did you know that genetically engineered corn is regulated by the EPA as an insecticide because it releases insecticides as it grows? Tortilla chips, anyone? After seeing the video, Sophia, one of my Facebook followers wrote: How can the average (poor) family of five eat on healthier food? I’m wanting to, but stumped. It’s a valid question. Learning about some of the atrocities in our supermarkets is the surest way to convince oneself that organic is the way to go. But organic food is expensive. It’s a sad day when food grown and prepared naturally is the alternative and not the norm, but that’s a whole ‘nother story. I live in a state that is notorious for its high food prices, so I’m all too aware just how costly it is to eat well on the cheap, but some of my tactics may work for you: Stop buying food products and start buying real food....

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Choose Unbleached Flour

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Choose Unbleached Flour

  The difference between bleached and unbleached flour in the final product (and cost) is negligible, but by purchasing the unbleached version you will eliminate chemicals and toxins from your food and our environment. Using chlorine, bromates, and peroxides in processing our food seems crazy, doesn’t it? Especially when there is a better alternative sitting right next to the bleached flour on the store shelf.

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Welcome

It’s one thing to think, “Hey, I’d love to be more self-sufficient!” and quite another to implement a lifestyle change that might require learning some new skills.

Attainable Sustainable is about bridging the gap between wanting change and making it happen without becoming overwhelmed. Nobody’s saying you have to go get a tractor and a cow. Attainable Sustainable is about discovering – one step at a time – how to make changes in your life to support a sustainable lifestyle.

The Author

Kris Bordessa has been gardening for most of her life. She's been authoring books and writing features for the past ten years or so. It's about time she combined the two, don't you think? [More about the author]