Zero Waste Update

It has been such a fun week of little accomplishments and large delights! Currently, I am honoured to be volunteering as a David Suzuki Queen of Green Coach. The program allows me to focus on what I love best (my family and friends and our beautiful planet), in a way that I love (connecting with others and challenging each other in meaningful ways). I am working with five of my favourite families in the whole world, to create positive change in our lives, and be mindful of our ecological footprint. It has been so fun to see what each family has set for their greening goals, and it has been so inspiring for our family, too!

Right now, we are all working on the various ways we create, process and dispose of waste in our lives. Last week, I wrote about our plastic purge and my family’s very exciting move towards zero waste. When I first started, I thought the process would be really slow, but I am amazed at what changes we’ve already made, and how easy and fun they’ve been!

Here are a few of the little steps I’d love to share & celebrate this week:

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A fridge full of milk in glass bottles (delivered by this amazing local farmer!)

I’m balancing the extra cost of glass, by using a few litres to make my own yogurt – yum!


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Handmade re-usable produce bags (from thrift-store fabric costing a total of $2!)

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Our new waste system.

Anything compostable goes into the garden compost,

the rest of the food waste goes to the new municipal green can program,

and the tiny one is what’s left.

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And, of course, recycling (which, I’m hoping we’ll need less and less of, as we continue our plastic purge!).

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A set of hankies (one for everyone in the family!).

Oh, how I love thrifting (now to get in the habit of using these).

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Homemade butter in a jar (from whipped cream delivered in a jar!).

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Yielding both butter, and buttermilk pancakes!

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Yum!

Adventures in Zero Waste: The Plastic Purge

It always starts with a book. I don’t know whether it’s the librarian in me, or the dreamer, but my insatiable appetite for the written word finds me attempting to better myself once again.

So. This book.  I picked it up off the shelf at the bookstore, and made a random note to find it at the library. It looked a bit like a home-decor book, and was shelved alongside the design and gardening books. I didn’t think much about its ability to change my life.

I guess I’d heard of zero waste before, but I hadn’t quite transferred the concept to my home. When I read about Bea, and her family’s journey to zero waste, I felt challenged. There is someone else actually doing this. It can be done. And the question became, not, “how could I do this?” but “how could I not do this?”

Much like the purchase of our angora rabbits (brought on by another book), I ran with my enthusiasm. And, without further ado, I started.

My first challenge was to look at how I grocery shopped. I saw an immediate problem here. Particularly, as it was winter (no farmer’s market, scant availability of convenient local foods), I had let some of my usual food-conscience relax. The first time I went grocery shopping after diving into the book, I will admit I was actually shocked by the amount of plastic I brought home. Everything I bought (from apples, to pasta, to lentils and cauliflower) was wrapped in plastic. Bringing my own bags to the store (as I always do) was almost laughable, considering the amount of packaging that was coming home with me.

I started small. One day, I brought a glass container to the meat store, and kindly asked for them to put my meat inside. Bless the saleslady, she didn’t look at me too weirdly. My first success!

Another day, I set out with a glass jar to use at the fresh-ground peanut butter machine at the local health foods store. Sorting out how to account for the weight of my jar was a little tricky. But, it was doable!

The next time, emboldened by my success, I lined up my beautiful glass jars, wrote all of the tares (weights) on their lids, and set out. The fiasco at the checkout was what I’ll call a set-back. The local organic health foods store was wonderfully patient, but when I asked what the best way to do this in the future would be, the kind answer was, essentially, please don’t.

Thus far, I had learned a few things.

1. Make your own cloth bags for bulk items. Fussing with the extra weight of jars was not practical, or welcome.

2. Finding ways to buy in bulk, sans packaging, was essential.

3. In short, I needed to change my buying habits if I was going to make this work.

I began a grocery store audit. I shopped at three of our local large grocery chains, and the one organic foods store to see how each would rate.

Some were definitely better than others. One had more items in bulk. Another had more un-bagged organic fruits and vegetables. The organic store had the option of paper bags for bulk & veggies – for which I was very thankful. But the pre-packaged bulk foods were all in plastic baggies. And, although they had milk in bottles, it is clear you pay a premium for this service.

Two weeks ago, as I was sharing my plight with an acquaintance, she let me in on a little secret. One of my favourite local farms from the market grows year-round (in a wood-heated greenhouse). And they deliver! I now receive all my veggies (and am even able to get milk in a jar at a slightly lower price) through her! Last week, I asked her about not delivering in plastic bags, and, instead of looking at me strangely (something I’ve been getting very used to), she said many of her customers feel the same. They get deliveries in a re-useable box instead! So, this week, that will be me!

As for bulk dried goods, I’ve been re-using paper for the past few weeks. It’s been working until I can sit down and make myself some more cloth ones.

I’m still searching for zero-waste meat and cheese alternatives (that don’t include buying in tiny quantities from a deli), but I’m making strides. I’m on my way to eliminating buying veggies & fruit in plastic. This week, I intend to save money buying extra milk in a jar and making yogurt with it. The savings from my homemade yogurt (which is easy to make and delicious, anyways), should make up for the extra cost of milk (thanks to my sister for the idea). I have a pretty good rotation of grocery bags in my home and car, so I never have to resort to plastic (although I do need more mesh produce bags). And, I’m getting braver at refusing receipts (pretty sure it’s the polite Canadian in me that finds this so hard).

Anyways, the point it, it’s coming. And every little victory feels so good. There is something so wonderfully, oddly, satisfying, in conscious shopping. Alongside the many environmental benefits, zero-waste shopping is fun. It’s empowering. And, it’s kind of addicting.

My suggestion. Try it! You never know just how far it might take you.

New Habits for a New Year

I have begun easing my way into 2015.  After a challenging 2014, I feel a bit gun-shy.  A little hesitant to jump into any new goals, any promises I can’t keep.  While not exactly a stellar way to start of the new year with a bang, I actually feel very pleased with the slow and steady approach.  This year, instead of sitting down and writing out my goals for the year immediately, I decided to take this first week of January to let things simmer, and see what rose to the surface.  I like this tactic. In fact, I’m going to continue along in the same vein for awhile, if it’s all the same to you.

One week in, and so far, two significant things have arisen.  Both habits.  Both requiring significant change.

You see, this year, I am a little sick of myself.  Not in a loathing sort of way.  Just as in, enough already.

There are two aspects of my behaviour which I have long accepted as part of my character.

First, my tardiness.  I’m a chronic late-comer.  Not significantly late.  I’m the 1 or two-minuter.  The ten-minuter.  Though, admittedly since having kids, sometimes even the 45 minuter. I tell myself it just is. It’s no big deal.  That’s just the way I am. Except, even I’m starting to get sick of myself. There is no good reason for my lack of preparation. My ability to squeak in at the last minute, throw open the car doors and rush in under the wire, is not such a miraculous skill. It may not even be a skill.  Ahem. So, this year, I feel like trying on a new hat.  It’s called, early. And, I know I am rubbish at it.  But, if my son can learn to read, and my daughter to ride a bike, perhaps, I, too, can learn a new skill. Catching the worm.

Second, my wonderful ability to start things.  I am glorious at starting. I love jumping in with two feet!  It turns out, I am an ideas person.  I love trying new things. Coming up with new concepts. New ways of doing things. Reading about people doing new things, and then trying them, too! I’m a starter. Which also makes me a chronic over-committer. And sometimes a grass-is-greener sheep. If I could just eat that fruit, surely my life would be complete. Living this way is invigorating, and fun. It’s exciting. But, it’s also lacking in a fair bit of focus. It means my house is always mid-project. My mind is always bouncing like a ping-pong ball. My heart is often torn in many directions. And I end up trying on and assimilating many different hats (see the afore-mentioned habit).  If my slow & steady approach is saying anything, it’s screaming it. Finish something already! Not only finish, but devote some time to what you’ve started. Complete. Complete. Complete.

A few years ago, during staff training at my then workplace, we talked about starters and finishers. It turns out that most of us are starters. And there are very few finishers. But, these finishers are seriously valuable people to have on your team. They see your projects through. They stay the course. They get ‘er done. I was always proud of myself for being a starter. As, I said, I am an ideas person. I loved that about myself. I still do. But, this year, I think it’s time to do some finishing. Tie up some loose ends. Complete a few projects.

In short, I’m going to be an early finisher this year (and if I finish a few projects early, well, so much the better!).

So, look for me on time, and complete. If I’m late, feel free to call me on it. If you have a glorious new idea (!), don’t be too disappointed when I respectfully bow out. But, if you’re waiting on me for something – now is the time to call me on it!

Hello 2015 (what have I done?!). You scare me (and I’m pretty sure that’s a good thing).

Taking a Retreat Week

This week, my parents were kind enough to offer to treat my two eldest children to a week at Grandma & Grandpa’s.  Five whole days without my little faces will be both wonderful and tough.  I don’t quite know what to do with myself.  I have big plans.  And small hopes.

First, the big plans.  I am hoping to de-clutter the house (or as much of it as I can feasibly comb through in a few days).  Simplicity is the big word here.  Less of anything would be great – but I am specifically thinking of toys and clothes.  My aim being twofold: spend less time tidying and less time doing laundry.  I hope to send a plethora of boxes to goodwill at the end of the week.  We shall see.  I suspect these big plans are too big for one week, but it won’t stop me from trying.

Second, the small hopes.  I am also hoping for just a few moments of selfish bliss.  Reading a book, enjoying a quiet cup of tea, napping with Small (baby) while he sleeps.  And, who knows, perhaps writing a few things… or even painting a little something.  And, I’d like to get out in the garden for some maintenance or into the woods for a wee walk with the pup. And, finally, I’m hoping for a small date with my husband.  Something simple and wonderful – which for us usually involves a bookstore and a treat.  It’s a bit of a long list for five days, isn’t it?

Still, one has to keep motivated when their little rays of sunshine are absent.  Perhaps I’ll even finish my daughter’s nature bag, and felt the little person I have promised to my son.

Here’s to a week of simplicity, beauty, and, yes, some hard work!

A Year of Inspired Living

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This year, I discovered something.  This is my inspiration season.  My creative season.  For the past three years, February has been the month where I have done the most blogging.  Where I have felt the most inspired, and where I have made huge decisions to do new and exciting things.

As Spring approaches, my mind seems to need to bloom.  I want to blossom, create and dive into something with both feet.  Three years ago, it was this blog.  And the writing of my first novel.  The next, it was the purchase and building of a brand new business, in partnership with my husband.  Last year at this time, I was preparing for my third child, and making a bold decision to move to a new home and community.

This year is all about inspired living.

For me this means:

1. Writing.  Something magical happens when I record and reflect on my life.  I see things in a new way, and express myself more readily. And I find clarity.

2. Homesteading. I hope you’ll see me writing a lot about self-sufficiency and sustainable living this year.  Two over-used words, that, nevertheless, hold so much value for me. I am really excited about where this will take me.

3. Creativity. I want to flourish creatively this year. Explore new skills, and build on old ones. Writing. Photography. Carving and needle-felting. To name a few.

4. Gratitude. Follow me as I record my thanks in pictures throughout the year with “Everyday Beauty.” I want to make gratitude a habit. And train my eye and heart to see the blessings all around me.

5. Dreaming. My goal this year is to be filled with inspiration. To find beauty and wonder in life, and to move towards my dreams.

What will blossom this year?  I hope it will be something just as powerful, exciting and liberating as the last.

Time to spring ahead.

Putting My Head Back in the Clouds

It’s February, and I am fast approaching my first blogiversary.  Just under a year ago, I began Musings from the Middle, as a way to track all of the amazing changes I’d been experiencing in my life.  My heart is full, even now, as I read over some of the posts I wrote last year.  The hopes and dreams and wonderful directions in which I was going.  And, thankfully, continue to be (albeit somewhat stalled).

Last year, I:

1. Started blogging

2. Quit my job

3. Wrote a novel

4. Started a business

5. Rediscovered photography

6. Generally fell in love with life

I have to say, it was a good year.  It was fueled by the discovery of a few wonderful books, and the help of a few wonderful people (my husband and children).

I’m not sure what to say, but my heart has been asking me to come back to this place.  The place where it all began.  Running an online community, while learning how to learn with my children, while desperately finding ways to generate income has been – well, busy.  I’ve been online a lot.  And none of it here.

But, past few weeks, especially leading up to the day I started writing my novel last year (and thinking of what has come since then), have made me introspective.  And, I’ve been trying to remember why I started all of this in the first place.

So, however this goes.

I’m welcoming myself back to this place.  

This place of recognizing the beauty in life.  

The moments and the wonder that make it worthwhile.  

The creativity that blossoms when we least expect it.  

And the wise voices that infuse it.  

For anyone with a creative soul who reads this.  Welcome yourself back to that place.  The place where it all began.  The place that helps you remember.  And the place the fires you up.

Go forth and create.  And capture and cherish those moments that make your heart sing.

Happy year two.