Posts Tagged ‘ sustainability ’

I’m a Bloggies Finalist!

What a great way to start off February – I’m adding three more hens to my flock today and I just found out that I’m a finalist for the Bloggies in the Best New Weblog category. (Iwillnotsquee!Iwillnotsquee!Iwillnotsquee!) Such restraint I have, yes? I’d love it if you’d take a moment to vote. And really, it’s very easy. It’s not one of those contests that require registration or lots of clicks. You choose your favorite blog in a variety of categories (Best New Blog is toward the end of the page and accompanied by an image of a cute kitten), type in your email address and a security code, and click the verification link they send you via email. Two minutes, tops. And it would make me very, very happy. Thanks ever so much!

Patchwork Living Blogging Bee #7

By Kris Bordessa

Welcome to the Patchwork Living Blogging Bee, our Internet version of a quilting bee. Each of our lives is a patchwork of what was passed down to us, what we find around us, and what people share with us. Hosted by myself and Frugal Kiwi, we hope that you’ll join us by adding a virtual “patch.”Each week we feature our favorite submissions from the previous blog hop. Mine are listed below; you can see Melanie’s favorites at Frugal Kiwi. 1. Frugally Sustainable shared a recipe for homemade liquid dish soap that I’m totally trying. In part because her picture shows a repurposed canning jar with a salvaged spout as a container. 2. Author Laura Grace Weldon suggests that maybe it’s tme to clarify what we mean by well-being—for ourselves, our economy and our future. 3. If you’re still figuring out what to keep in your real foods pantry, A Mother’s Calling has some suggestions along with a sample menu. Thanks to everyone who shared a post last week! Authors of the posts featured above are invited to display our special “Featured on Patchwork Living Blogging Bee” Badge. Please contact us if you’d like to use it, and if you do,...

Patchwork Living Blogging Bee #4

By Kris Bordessa

Welcome to the Patchwork Living Blogging Bee, our Internet version of a quilting bee. Each of our lives is a patchwork of what was passed down to us, what we find around us, and what people share with us. Hosted by myself and Frugal Kiwi, we hope that you’ll join us by adding a virtual “patch.” Each week we feature our favorite submissions from the previous blog hop. Mine are listed below; you can see Melanie’s favorites at Frugal Kiwi. 1. Loved reading the submission from author Laura Grace Weldon, Five Ways Frugal Living Benefits Kids. She says, “Living simply puts the emphasis on exactly the conditions that are best for our kids, now and as they grow into adulthood.” 2. I’ve yet to try grinding my own wheat, so I enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes photos from Grim Wytche Farm. 3. These homemade Larabars from Foodie with Family look amazing. Authors of featured posts are invited to display our special “Featured on Patchwork Living Blogging Bee” Badge. If you choose to display it, please link back to the post in which you were featured. Time to add your piece to the quilt. We hope you will share...

What Would Happen If…?

By Kris Bordessa

I am one of those people who finds it hard to follow exact instructions. I’m more than willing to experiment, whether it be in the kitchen, the garden, or at the craft table. I’m always surprised when an editor wants me to add three more steps to a 17-step how-to article. Some of those steps seem so obvious to me. Most times, I can get from point A to point C without having point B spelled out specifically for me. What I’ve discovered through my writing is that while I can see the logical next step or imagine what adding pepper might do to a recipe, many people can’t. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try! I’m going to step off an a little educational tangent. When kids (and adults) are taught by rote memorization and the focus is on “correct” test answers, they get no extra points for being creative or for exploring alternatives. After years of striving to find the “right” answer, it can be really, really hard to step out of that pattern and experiment. (This assessment will come as no surprise to those of you who know I’ve written a book on creative problem solving.)...

Five Books Worth Adding to your Shelves

By Kris Bordessa

For years, my plant bible has been the Sunset Western Garden Book. Filled with listings of specific plants (over 8,000 in the 2011 edition) that detail plant characteristics, growth habits, and zone requirements, this is a must-have if you garden in the west. The book includes information about both edible and ornamental plants and trees. Of course, this is region specific and works for me; if you’re east of the Rockies I’d love to hear about your favorite regional reference book. In Animal, Vegetable, Miracle Barbara Kingsolver chronicles her family’s year of eating only homegrown food (supplemented by locally grown products, on occasion). It’s an inspiring look at the possibilities of living self-sufficiently. I particularly loved reading that even though this was her idea, even though she wanted to live this way, it was hard for her to actually begin. She worried that the spring months would offer spare produce for her family’s table, and she was right. I found reading about her choices in sustainable living to be an education in itself. Hungry Planet may seem like an odd choice for a sustainability site, but the images in the book are a visual reminder that the way we...

How do you Bag It?

By Kris Bordessa

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...

Welcome!

By Kris Bordessa

As more people become aware of the human impact on this earth (and ironically, on our own health) the idea of living a more sustainable, self-sufficient life is gaining ground. But. 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 a new set of skills or two. 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. As far as this site is concerned, sustainability is about eliminating excess and living lightly on the world. It’s about learning to generate food in a smart manner, whether that’s raising your own, joining a local CSA, or frequenting your local farmers markets. It’s about leaving the consumerism model behind and embracing the concept of re-purposing and reusing what we have. It’s discovering – one step at a time – how to make changes in your life to support a sustainable lifestyle. If you’re interested in making some positive changes in the way you live in this world, I hope you’ll stick around!

Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet – Impetus for Change

By Kris Bordessa

As a girl, I read the Little House on the Prairie series and dreamed of a time when people cooked over an open fire and gave handmade gifts. As an adult, I actually hoped that Y2K would bring a change. While we called it a “scare” back then, few would have guessed Y2K could actually have saved humanity. A forced change in our lives of excess might have depressed the masses, but the idea of living closer to the earth always appealed to me. Reading Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet was like spending time with an old friend who shared my desire for a simpler life. A smart old friend. While I’m passionate about living a simpler, more sustainable life, author Bill McKibben lays out for readers exactly why drastic changes are necessary to the way we’re living.

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Posts Tagged ‘ sustainability ’

I’m a Bloggies Finalist!

Patchwork Living Blogging Bee #7

Patchwork Living Blogging Bee #4

What Would Happen If…?

Five Books Worth Adding to your Shelves

How do you Bag It?

Welcome!

Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet – Impetus for Change

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