Taking Steps and Making Strides to be More Environmentally Friendly - Paper Towels

The last of my paper towels. Soon to be replaced with a rags

So, I have recently started a new journey to becoming more environmentally friendly and a better Environmentally Responsible Consumer.

The past few weeks since I've been thinking of ways I can cut down on waste in my home, how I can better serve as well as to save money on unnecessary products.

I think that it's sometimes difficult in our need-everything-now, throw-away culture to take a step back and really take a look at how much we buy, waste and throw away simply because we can. We have SO MANY options available to us in North America that it's become so simple to throw something away, whereas just a few generations ago, they were told to "Make Due and Mend"

One decision I've made for my household, and one that seems to cut deeply emotionally for me is... no longer buying paper towels. I *love* paper towels. I use them to wipe up spills, I line my produce drawers with them, I'll occasionally blow my nose with them, I clean my mirrors with them and the list can really, go on for just about ever.
Anyhoo... I'm on my last roll of paper towel, and it sort of sucks to see the roll get smaller and smaller, even though I'm glad it means I'll be taking another step towards being more Environmentally Responsible.

So, I've upcycled a large, empty coffee can that I covered with contact paper, both of which were already in the house to hold my rags on the counter so they are still easily accessible and in a convenient place for anyone to grab. I think I'll probably end up finding a nice basket or something at Value Village  or on sale at one of the grocery stores I frequent and use the can for something else in the future, but for now, that's what I'll use when my paper towels run out. 

While I love using paper towels and they are convenient, I think it will feel good to make the change and to be more Environmentally Responsible.

*UPDATE ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER I RAN OUT OF PAPER TOWEL*

So, I am still using my upcycled coffee can to hold my rags and I am still liking it. The only thing that sort of bothers me is that when my cutting boards and hot pad/trivet thinger slip and end up on the counter, they push the can all around, but that's not really a huge deal. I guess what I would like is if the can were heavier to help keep the cutting boards etc all in place and standing up against the wall like my paper towel holder did.

C'est la vie, small price to pay, right?

Taking Steps and Making Strides to be More Environmentally Friendly - Water Usage

In the past couple weeks I have been thinking of being more environmentally friendly and trying to think of small ways I can make an impact, because I think that even the small stuff adds up and can make a big difference.

I've always thought of myself as compassionate and I always think of cutting down on the waste that is created in our home. I mean, I have my Starbucks travel mugs, I have reusable shopping bags, I try to recycle and compost as much as possible, I switch off the car when I'm at a stand still instead of letting it run idol (Like, at the car wash... not in traffic) and I try to wear a sweater instead of turning up the heat. There are a lot of other things that I let slide because I don't think of it or I'm being lazy.

Recently, I've been reading this blog http://www.trashisfortossers.com/ and it has REALLY opened my eyes to the amount of waste we create in our home. A little rundown... Lauren lives in New York and took Environmental Studies in college. She wanted to live her values and with a couple of actual life events that made her think and an "Aha! Moment" she set out to live a zero waste lifestyle. In her journey THIS  is the garbage that she has produced! All contained in a mason jar! I think that is ASTONISHING!

Anyhoo, one of the ways I'm trying to be more friendly to our planet is to use less water. I'm a mom of a toddler, so you know that my showers are already short... but some other ways I'm trying to cut down my water use is by turning off the water while I get my hands all sudsy, then turn it back on when I'm ready to rinse (I'm already good at leaving it off while I'm brushing) and turning it off when I'm measuring water an for cooking and my 3 cup measure is already dirty and needs to be washed, so I'm forced to use my one cup measure.

BUT! The BIGGEST change for me is - plugging the sink while I'm washing dishes. Yup. I'm totally that person who wastes TONS of water doing dishes. I've never plugged the sink. In fact, my foods class teacher and I had it out because according to her, by just leaving the water running, I was "Doing the dishes wrong". Not that I agree with her now that I plug the sink, I don't think there is a wrong way to clean your dishes, but there is a less wasteful way, for sure.

So, here's my system:

First, I fill up a small plastic tub, which is only to be used for rinsing, with super hot water. Then, I fill the sink up halfway with hot soapy water and the cleaner dishes that need to be washed and that will be easier to clean, rinsing them in my plastic tub and setting aside to dry on my drying mats to the right side of the sink. (Utensils, drinking glasses, dishes without oil or greasy food leftovers etc).

Second, once the first, "cleaner" batch of dishes are done, if the cleaning water is still relatively clean, I'll wash the dirtier, greasier, more nasty dishes in the same water. If the water is starting to get gross, I'll empty the sink and then pour my rinsing water from my plastic tub into my sink and replace the water for rinsing. Wash, rinse, repeat. (Yes, pun intended.)

So yeah, it's a big change for me to go from washing in running water to washing in a full sink, but I feel good that I'm using less water, which results in a lower water bill AND helps the environment AND it's more quiet time for me - washing dishes used to be SO LOUD with the running water. Plus, this way, so far for some reason, I'm doing my dishes every night, which means they are getting put away each night, which means I wake up to clean counters. At least, the ones from morning-dinner are getting done. If there are any "after dinner" or snack dishes after we eat, they wait until the next day

Yup, I think this is going to be something I keep up with :)

Mom on a Budget - TVP Taco Soup

 I love making Taco Soup. It is such a quick and easy meal to prepare and is a winner amongst most people (some members of my family excluded... but only because of the onion)

I first tried making Taco Soup when I was eating a vegan style plant based diet, (I have since discontinued my vegan diet because I found it very restrictive and living in a completely omnivorous home, I found all the extra food prep and cooking too much for me while being pregnant, although I rarely eat eggs, meat and opt for milk alternatives as I am lactose-intolerant.) and I am still asked by some, "How do you make Taco Soup without the beef?" The answer? TVP.

Textured Vegetable Protein is a highly nutritious soy product. It is incredibly wealthy in complete protein and contains no fat, so it is an excellent alternative to meat. Although TVP doesn't add much flavor, it's low in fat and calories, contains a wealth of complete soy protein and it's a good source of dietary fiber. You can use TVP as an extender in meat or protein patties and meatloaf, stews and soups. It works great as a protein additive for health bars, salads, cereals, baked potatoes and stuffing. It is very easy to prepare and takes on the flavor of whatever recipe to which it is added, making it an incredibly versatile addition to a wide variety of dishes.

Anyhoo, enough babbling about TVP - on with the soup!

I've chosen this recipe because it is insanely easy to prepare, cooks quickly, is healthy, nutrient dense and is one of the best friends a budget saavy mom (or anyone) can have. It also makes a decent sized batch of soup and it freezes well.

 For this recipe, you will need:

• Roughly 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (or oil of your preference)
• 1 decent sized onion, chopped
• 1 796ml can of diced tomatoes
• 1 540ml can of black beans
• 1 540ml can of six bean mix
• 2 cups unprepared (dry) TVP
• 2 cups vegetable stock (or water or stock of your choosing)
• 1 341ml can kernal corn
•  1 package taco seasoning (or 2-4 Tbsp of your own taco spice mix)
• Optional - 1 540ml can of red (kidney) beans
  

As much as we ALL love music, sometimes the music our own bodies (or maybe, that of your spouses) isn't quite appealing. If you want to avoid the "Musical Fruit" effect, rinse those beans, and rinse them really well. It will wash away all the "food" that the bacteria in your gut thrive on.

'scuse the belly!
Heat the olive oil in a large pot, chop up that onion and toss it in until it's nice and golden brown.

 

While you're waiting for the onion to brown, prepare your TVP. Follow the directions on the package, but I've found that it is pretty standard to soak the TVP in equal parts liquid. For this recipe, I used 2 cups dry TVP and two cups water (I didn't have any vegetable stock on hand) I often add more liquid, because otherwise I end up with a VERY hearty stew, and while I prefer more of a stew texture than I do soup, it turns out a bit too dry for me.

Once the onion is done to your liking, add your cans of diced tomatoes, rinsed beans, kernel corn, prepared TVP and Taco seasoning and mix that big bad pot up! I prefer to use a blend of spices to make a taco seasoning rather than buy the store bought pouches that are full of preservatives and "ingredients" that I can't pronounce.

Voila! You have a big pot of soup that will easy feed a family of four (possibly more, Baby Bird and I are the only ones in the house who eat this soup) with more for seconds or leftovers. Like I said, it freezes well too, so you can make a batch, use my muffin tin method (Found in this blog entry: http://one-eighty-loosed-a-kaboose.blogspot.ca/2013/04/mom-to-be-freezer-meal-sweet-potato.html

Serve with a dollop of sour cream and cornbread!

Nomnomnom!

Signing off for now!
I hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy it. Don't forget to scroll down and feed the fish!

<3 Robin

PS, this cost me under $15.00 to make!