Two Frog Home

Plant something - Not much happening here in the way of planting.  All inspections have come back good, so it looks like we’ll be moving in a few weeks! 

1. Harvest something - Dandelions and chives that’s it so far, but mint and rhubarb soon.
3. Preserve something - I canned chicken and beef stock from bones I’d been saving in the freezer (I’m keeping a tally on the pantry building page). 
5. Prep something - I’ve been saving newspaper and finding burlap sacks at the coffee roaster to snuff out grass and plan new gardens at our new place.

Cook something New - Nothing new this week, just lots of old standards and using up things we have on hand so as not to have too much excess when it comes time to move.

Manage your reserves - I started a 2008 pantry building tally to keep track of what I have on hand, and I always label and date jars when I’m done canning.

Work on local food systems - I shared some worm compost water with a neighbor, for their strawberry patch.  That’s about it, I’m not doing well on this Independence Days Challenge.

Reduced Waste - Saving the newspapers for mulch means no recycling necessary.

Learned a Skill - Does learning the intricacies of real estate and mortgage processing/procedures count?

PS: It does look like all is good for us on this house deal, as long as the appraisal comes in like we’re expecting.  Posts may be a little light and because of the move I don’t know that I’m going to do as well as I’d planned on this independence days challenge.

I decided to participate in the Independence Days Challenge hosted by Casaubon’s Book.  I’m a week behind, but here’s what I did this week:

1. Plant something - Considering we had snow, yes snow this morning and our hopefully impending move, I haven’t done much planting.  I did transplant some seedlings into bigger pots to keep until we hopefully move.

2. Harvest something.  I picked dandelions & chives this week.

3. Preserve something.  I made dandelion jelly.

4. Prep something. I mended a pair of Jeff’s pants and have been preparing to move, include moving some of my plants.  I also have 2 quilts pinned and ready for quilting.

5. Cook something new. Nothing new this week…

6. Manage your reserves.  Nothing really new this week, there are some chicken & beef bones in the freezer that I hope to can this weekend.

7. Work on local food systems.  I gave some of my raspberry canes away to help someone else start their own patch.

My dear friend, Audrey, recently watched the documentary The Future of Food.  She raved about it to me, knowing how passionately I oppose Genetically Modified Foods.  I hadn’t seen the movie, but she got a bunch of people together and we all bought copies of the DVD (discount pricing for orders over 20).  I told her I’d take two, even though I hadn’t seen the movie, I knew if she was asking it was worth it.  I got one copy for Jeff and I and another for a friend’s birthday.

I watched the movie and I have to say its compelling, frightening, and hopeful all at the same time.  Get a copy of this DVD if you have any question about risks and benefits to genetically modified foods and the role of biotechnology companies in what you put into your body.  You won’t regret the time you spend watching it. 

I’ve written a few posts lately about making educated choices and in one post I know I wrote that sometimes we have no control over choices being made.  Genetically Modified Foods is one such choice for us here in the U.S.A., because we have no labeling laws we don’t know for sure what we’re eating.  That’s horrifying to me.  What’s more horrifying is the cross-pollination of GM crops into non-GM crops, meaning no matter how well intentioned I am in keeping seed or buying heirloom seeds, the test plot 20 miles away could contaminate my garden.  Don’t even get me started on Terminator technology and how that could effect our food supply.

I can’t stress the importance of buying from trusted, local sources whenever possible strongly enough.  In the end, I truly believe we can have a food revolution by simply doing what generations before us have done, grow and eat locally produced foods from growers who are also neighbors and stewards of our communities.  This may be the only way we can stop GM crops from taking over, cross pollination has already begun in things like corn, soybeans, and wheat, lets stop it before it gets into any more of our food supply. 

In the same vain as yesterday’s Ignorant is Bliss post, I’ve been thinking about frugality.  There are numerous articles talking about a possible recession and/or depression in the U.S.  I’ve been reading many of them with great interest.  The pollyanna that I am sees this as a great opportunity to really see how resourceful I am.  I understand the economic news is devastating for many people, I understand the poorest of the poor will need help, and I’m willing to step up where I can.  I also know that many people are living well beyond their means and for them this is where the blissful ignorance will have to end.  I’m hoping that all this talk will be a wake up call for us as society.

I know people are feeling the pinch, financially.   I talk to many of these folks in a variety of ways, whether its the gal on the cross-trainer next to me in the gym, someone in one of my continuing education classes, or random folks in the grocery store.  I use Jeff’s favorite phrase of “tightening up the belt” often with these folks.  It never ceases to amaze me how that bristles some people’s feathers.  When I taught my frugal living class, I had one student who very much wanted to learn how to live within her means but still be able to go out to eat at expensive restaurants 4 nights a week.  The idea of giving up on luxuries to save or be frugal seems so hard for a society that feels entitled to the “American Dream” of more, bigger, better.

Grandma’s favorite saying of “use it up, wear it out, make do,” is very much a frugal philosophy we apply to our lifestyle here at Two Frog Home.  Imagine what an impact that would have on our environment, our communities, and our homes if that was picked up as modern movement as hip as the current “go green” movement has become.  It won’t become as popular, however; because it doesn’t benefit all the companies going green in order to get your dollars.  You won’t see Walmart using that as a slogan because it encourages you not spend money in their stores, but you will see them hawking cheap T-shirts made from recycled plastic bottles because its hip and it makes them money.

In talking with people, I understand that a lot of people don’t know how to practically apply the “use it up, wear it out, make do” philosophy.  So far in their lives, they haven’t had to be frugal or they’ve used credit cards to spare themselves from any perceived deprivation.  Let me share how we apply grandma’s philosophy and frugal living daily around here.

First, let me share one of my most favorite quotes by Amy Dacyczyn (of Tightwad Gazette fame) “Frugality without creativity is deprivation.”  For me, that’s key.  No one wants to feel deprived, myself included.  The trick is learning to make do creatively with what you have until you can afford, without credit, to buy whatever you want.  I’ve learned that making do for a period of time, generally leads to not wanting/needing the gadget anyway.  I find great satisfaction in doing myself (or asking Jeff to do it) without relying on outside sources and/or conveniences.  Doing for myself and waiting for items, makes that item more valuable somehow. 

Instead of buying the newest fashion trends, why not wear out the old standards in your closet and repair them when possible.  There’s something to be said for wearing something so often that it requires multiple repairs.  It means I’ve worked hard and that I’m stretching my dollar, saving by repairing instead of buying new.  I assign financial worth to that, if I repair of jeans, I put $15 dollars into savings, figuring I’ve paid myself for some future need/want/desire.  I do find immense satisfaction when I have to cut something up for rags, because that means we’ve worn that article of clothing completely out and the pieces that remain will serve us in another way. 

Getting creative with making do can extend into every aspect of our lives.  Instead of running to the grocery store to get one item that’s missing from the recipe, get creative with substitution’s.  Would it really hurt to leave that particular ingredient out?  Instead of running to the store for paper towels, make do with those old T-shirts.

Practical things we do that save money and in turn add to our savings:

• We rarely eat out
• We buy in bulk
• We eat whole foods in their natural form, not pre-boxed/convenience foods
• We buy used
• We bargain hunt and wait for the best deal before buying whenever possible
• We freecycle
• We garden and preserve our own foods
• We repair and otherwise adjust our own clothing (take in, shorten, etc.)
• We wear everything out and try to repair everything before buying new (Jeff has alot of mechanical aptitude which comes in handy)
• We pack our own lunches
• We don’t use paper towels, paper plates, etc. (I just see that as throwing money away)
• We use natural and cheap cleaners like vinegar
• When we do have to make a major purchase, we save to buy the best we can afford, because we want quality equipment that will last and not need to be replaced
• We don’t upgrade every time the newest model comes along
• We don’t buy into every toy/gadget that comes along (we still don’t have an I-pod)
• We use the library instead of buying new books

I could go on and on, but I think I’m making my point. 

In the end, I do believe that Jeff and I have been blessed in that we both have jobs that pay above minimum wage and seem to be steady.  However, the rest has been the result of hard work on our part.  We are debt free and have a healthy savings to cover us in case of job loss as well as money saved for property downpayment and repair (looking for cheaper houses means fixer uppers).  We don’t indulge in a lot of luxuries but we don’t feel deprived.  I do feel like a good amount of frugal living is done inside ourselves in that we have to choose what is important and make sure our spending habits reflect those priorities.  We have to choose and learn to be content with what we have and ignore what the “Joneses” are doing.

Finally, a huge thing is getting support from partners, family and friends.  Find people who are choosing to live within their means and learn from them.  The internet is full of frugality resources, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t say the book Your Money or Your Life will change the lives of everyone who reads it, at least it did mine.  Research and learn from folks who lived through the depression, find what works and get creative and maybe whatever comes this way won’t feel as bad as the media makes it seem.

I don’t live my life in ignorant bliss.  However, there are times when I daydream about doing just that.  Once you start to get educated about voluntary simplicity, frugality, genetically modified foods, sustainable choices, peak oil, etc. etc. its hard to close your eyes and go on living in ignorant bliss.  Sometimes, though it seems like it’d be easier, albeit irresponsible.

I’m very comfortable with my life and choices, however; I am aware that as I continue to learn and grow there are new depths to pursue.  I enjoy being challenged which is probably why I enjoy the new depths and levels of my various life choices, however; every now and then I just want to take the easy way out and not think about it.  I don’t want to think about whether or not what I’m doing is kind or responsible or wise - I just want to do it.  Don’t you just see the teenager stomping her feet, “I want what I want and I want it now!”?   

There are times when I don’t want to scrape the last morsel of peanut butter out of the jar before opening the next one.  Even though it’d be wasteful on so many different levels.  I don’t want to think about the money or food waste, I just want to take the lazy way out.  I never do, however; because I just can’t let myself, once Pandora’s box has been opened there’s no putting everything back.  However, we can’t tackle everything at once, so perhaps it comes down to educated choice.

I see people all around me living in ignorant bliss, and they seem happy.  But that’s the rub isn’t it?  They seem happy.  Is ignorance ever really bliss?  I’d venture to say, rarely.  Sometimes during family dramas I’d rather just not know, but other than that, I doubt that ignorance for any sustained period of time can lead to sustained bliss.

With every bit of research and knowledge comes choices.  I can choose to be ignorant of the treatment of factory raised, hormone filled chickens and save a bit of money (and not worry about using the bones for stock, etc.) or I can choose to eat meat less often and spend the money on locally raised humanely treated organic chickens for a bit more (and not waste one little bit, by making stock, eating all leftovers, etc.).  Sometimes choices are made for us, based on circumstances and budgets.  I understand that, but that’s not the focus of this rambling little rant.  

These choices vary for everyone because we’re all at different levels of knowledge and experience.  There is also a line in the sand for many of us.  We’re willing to do “this”, but not “that”, or our partners aren’t willing.  We get to a point where we just can’t figure out how to go any deeper as well.  I’ve been there: I know what’s its like to get to a point where you just can’t cross that next line (toilet rags instead of paper is a path I’m just not ready to travel, yet for instance).  I want goats, Jeff doesn’t.  We’re very frugal, I don’t simply see where we could cut back without compromising other priorities (like local & organic).  I do believe it is important, however; to tackle each item as you can and to take each item one step at a time.  It can be overwhelming, heart wrenching, and sometimes frightening not to mention hard and sometimes completely foreign to chose “this” over “that”.

The biggest choice of all, however; is to remain ignorantly blissful or to get educated.  I don’t truly believe that’s an either / or type of question.  I believe we can be blissfully educated.  I believe I’m getting there, educated I mean, I’m blissful.  I think we have to choose education and work that we love and be good at it, while realizing we can’t accomplish every single thing in a day, a week, a year, or a lifetime.  That’s hard for me, I want to get everything accomplished, but sometimes its good to remember that so much of life is in the journey not the destination.  That needs to be my choice today, focus on the journey not the destination or what needs accomplished to get to that destination.

I was visiting over at Moonmeadow Farm earlier today, she always has interesting news tidbits on her sidebar.  Today, I read a good bit of the ones she had posted, including several on recession/depression and rising food prices.  All of which go hand in hand with my thoughts on self-sufficiency and the need to be more so.

Do I believe, Jeff and I will see a time where we don’t shop at stores? No.  I don’t know that we’ll ever have the kind of property necessary to raise everything we need, especially grain.  However, I do believe we can work on growing and preserving as much of our own as possible.  I also believe we can work on bartering and buying from within our own community.

The folks over at Path to Freedom, have been doing a lot of writing about the need for a resurgence of the victory gardens concept.  I understand gardening is a lot of work and its not work everyone enjoys (unlike the gardening addict that I am).  However, with the price of food and fuel these days, I don’t know how long many people can hold out before gardening becomes more than a hobby and it becomes necessary for survival. 

For me, everything starts at home.  Home is more than just the building I live in, home is my heart, it is the center of my love with Jeff, simply home is everything.  So what can I do beyond gardening and canning?  Jeff is fond of saying “its time to tighten up the belt,” and while I think we already have the belt pretty tight, we can and should do more.  Frugality isn’t about deprivation in my mind, however; a person does need to learn the difference between deprivation and making do.  In learning to be more frugal and making do with what we have, we can be more prepared to not only help ourselves in times of struggle, but also help others, and donate to more worthy causes.  We can buy more food for the food pantry, spend money on necessities for shelters, etc.  We can grow an extra bit of food and donate the saved seeds.  We can do all this from home and maybe, soften the blow of whatever this way comes for us and those around us.  And if it doesn’t soften the blow, at least we’ll have given it a shot from home and have done our best to take care of ourselves. 

100 Things - #4 I use cloth shopping bags.  That probably doesn’t come as a surprise to many regular visitors to this blog, but it is none-the-less one of a 100 things about me.

I’ve been using cloth shopping bags for many years now.  I love the convenience and sturdiness of them and have a wide collection.  My cloth bag collection includes many handmade sweeties, treat bags from conferences/seminars, thrifted goodies, and even a few found at various locations over the years that I took home and washed for future use.

I make it a practice to bring groceries in from the car, unpack the bags, and take the cloth bags right back out to the car.  This way I always have the cloth bags with me and I don’t forget them at home when I go to the grocery store, library, or farmer’s market.  On more than one occasion, I’ve been grateful to have these bags in my back seat, they’ve come in handy for more reasons than my shopping trips.

This week’s favorites in no particular order are:

• The Seed Saver Urban Garden Kit idea over at the Unusually Unusual Farmchick.  I’m definately in for the idea, and look forward to seeing how she flushes out the idea and her plans.
• Sometimes I need to be reminded that every little bit helps and not to feel such despair about the problems in the world, instead do what I can and pray for the best, thanks to Robbyn for reminding me.
• Need I say more than Dark Chocolate Tangerine Truffles?
• Thanks to Soule Papa & Soule kids over at Soule Mama, I think I’m instituing a little “kookin” time in my on life every now and then.
• I have a fondness for both halibut and chickpeas, so this recipe over at Dulcedo was one I must keep and try at some point soon.

At some point last fall, I made the decision to withdraw from all of my volunteer activities and focus more of my attention, time, and love on home and the people in my life.  While, I like to think my loved ones were never robbed of any of my attention or affection, I can see now how much more of me is available by tightening up my focus.

I realize we’re only in the second month of 2008, but I can feel a real shift in my thinking and my attitude and my energy level for that matter.  I owe that in great part to the “cutting out of fat” from my time and energy.  The activities I was involved in were worthwhile, very much so, but the participation was weak and I was carrying more of a load than I expected.  I came to a point where I realized that if it wasn’t important enough for someone else to step up and help out - its not important and it had to be cut from my life.

I’ve spent these first weeks of 2008 changing my focus to God, home, and loved ones, denying any requests for my presence or time away from those.  It’s not easy for me to say no.  I had an email from one of the organizations and I said I would be happy to review plans via email and give my input but I would not attend any meetings.  They’ve stopped emailing me, and that’s fine.  If I can’t help on my terms, I’m not helping.  Is that selfish?  Maybe, but in the long run I want to know I made a difference mostly in my home and those people who are put in my path.  I can’t make that difference when I’m out trying to save my community when my community doesn’t think it needs saving.

I’m so much more content right now and I can attribute that to less distractions and more focus on what and whom I enjoy.  Focus on my own goals and not those of the organization I’m volunteering for - its not the right season in my life right now to focus on goals other than those that are important to my family.  I struggled with that for a while, I felt selfish and uncaring.  However, I’ve accepted that I can only give so much and I want to give that to what I value most.  That acceptance has given me so much freedom in spirit and mind and I’m so grateful.

Based on the FDA’s decision to approve cloned meat, I wrote to my legislator’s today.  I have moral reasons for opposing cloned meat, but this is the land of the free and if you choose to eat cloned meat go for it.  However, I would like to be able to choose whether or not to eat cloned meat, so I wrote to my legislators asking them to support labeling laws for products that contain cloned animal ingredients (milk, etc.).   I’ve written to my legislator’s previously about labeling for genetically modified food and sadly didn’t have their support and am not optimistic about their support in this arena either.  That won’t stop me from emailing them, however. 

It only strengthens my belief in buying food from local and/or reputable sources exclusively.  I’m an extremely frugal gal, but no matter the price you won’t find me buying cloned meat or any meat from sources that I can’t verify.

Further infomation: The Center for Food Safety.