Are the qualities of friendship, fun, working together, inclusiveness, and kindness ONLY male traits; female traits; or are they human traits?
These hero’s are making the world a happier, kinder, more inclusive place; creating 3D men (instead of men chained in a 2D world box of destruction, disfunction, and distance).
Here’s a simple way to dispense plastic wrap and foil. I’ve been doing it wrong all these years. Boy do I feel stupid glad that I know how to do this the easy way now.
Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson, is a book of fun and practical ideas written by a frugal French mom living in America with her American husband and 2 boys. While several of her ideas I already have in practice (she details composting, de-cluttering, simplifying), I found many new ideas such as a simple multi-purpose balm, techniques for waterproofing leather, and special towel folding techniques to carry food to picnics and wrap gifts. So far I’ve tried her cocoa powder eye shadow, where I brushed cocoa powder on my eyelids. I then asked my 17 year old son what he thought. He was like “Mom – it makes you look old and wrinkly!” I put on my glasses and sure enough even though I liked the color, this is a tip for someone much younger…but it was fun and simple to try!
Bea gives a list of houseplants that clean the air, tips on travel, recipes, stories from her own family, decorating, cleaning, wardrobe, gift wrapping, simple home building/craft projects, holidays and more. It was a fun read, a cross between homesteading and housekeeping, humor and practicality, simplicity and relaxation. Instead of making me feel overwhelmed, she made me feel comfortable and curious to try new ideas.
Check out Zero Waste Home By Bea Johnson from your local library or bookstore.
Posted in Health, Media, Stewardship
Tagged Book, Do-it-yourself, Economics, Family, Frugal, health, holidays, Humor, Sustainable
This Star Trek fan fiction takes over where a previous TV episode left off, and is crafted in the Gene Roddenberry style with an emphasis on message just like the original Star Trek. And the lighting/costumes/music/flow is so similar to the TV show. Took me a little bit to get used to the characters, but I could easily fall in love with them if this turned into a series.
If you want to see this web series become a reality, feel free to contribute to the kickstarter campaign here.
*update* as of 10/27/13 the kickstarter project has been funded, so you can look forward to at least 3 new episodes:)
With colder weather around the corner, here’s a snuggly warm submission from contributor Margaret Kumma. Plus, she’s got creative uses for some of these items that go beyond sleeping.
The bathrobe is a plush robe in pink. The fabric is 100% cotton. The brand is Hotel Spa Collections. I purchased it from Amazon a few years ago in the winter. What I like about it is that it’s very warm for those cold winter nights. I also like the mid-thigh length. I love how soft and comfortable Continue reading
Here’s a back to school song to get your kids motivated: a music video created to inspire school attendance by and for the kids of the Oakland school district, filmed at the La Escuelita Elementary School. Maybe it’ll be an earworm to get kids and parents in the mood for school…
It doesn’t matter if you’re a mom or not – if you have ever been a kid, you’ll enjoy this Mother’s Day Greeting from Kid President.
A fun little romp through human history, this diet book explains what the human body needs to function optimally, and backs it up with archeology, science, chemistry, and more. Robb Wolf is a research biochemist and athlete who wants to help people get and stay well (his own parents were sick a lot), so opened a gym focusing on how simple nutrition, exercise, and a few lifestyle changes can radically improve ones’ appearance, health, and longevity.
This is an entertaining book, but I was impressed most with the charts about what foods have the highest nutritional and fiber value (spoiler: it’s not grains) Continue reading
This 9-year-old boy, known online through his Kid President videos, is a hero in so many ways by encouraging adults and kids alike. Here’s the back-story about this amazing kid, his family, and why his focus is on playing and having fun:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50142168n
The question he asks is “What will you create today to make the world more awesome?”
In the book by Lynn Grabhorn Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting, Lynn talks of the astonishing power of feelings, and that the scientific rule “like attracts like” also takes place with our feelings. When our energy is happy and flowing, we attract happy things into our lives. By getting excited and feeling joy, the happy vibration attracts other joy/opportunities – not only in your original inspiration, but in other areas of your life as well.
Problem is, “like attracts like” also works in the negative – where we tend to
live much of our adult lives – but we can change that. Lynn Grabhorn spends the majority of the book explaining step by step how, and Continue reading
Posted in Health, Media, Opinion
Tagged Book, Do-it-yourself, Frugal, health, Humor, Spirituality
This might be the easiest way to put hair in a ponytail for those who prefer to use a tech/tool instead of using one’s hands alone. I found it humorous as well as strangely practical. Vacuum cleaners are amazing tools, and I like how this video shows an innovative additional use for an everyday tool.
http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/dad-makes-daughter-s-ponytail-with-vacuum-cleaner/1j8y8875z
A fun little romp by Tammy Strobel, You Can Buy Happiness (and It’s Cheap) is a story of how one woman radically simplified her life and how you can too. Tammy began (like many of us) by working and commuting long hours, living on credit, shopping for clothes during lunch break, and coveting a big diamond wedding ring. She and her husband had the car, the nice apartment, an over abundance of things…but she was also in debt, didn’t have time, and felt empty.
Part memoir, part economic research, part spiritual mentor, part humor, Continue reading
Posted in Health, Media, Stewardship
Tagged Book, Do-it-yourself, Economics, Frugal, health, Humor, Sustainable
Grandparents love grandkids. They carry around photos of grandbabies for bragging rights. But what happens when those grandchildren grow up to be teenagers? How to keep the relationship fresh between grandparents and grandkids? Continue reading
We live in a 1920’s bungalow. It has a fireplace that doesn’t work very well, so instead of using it for fires, I use it to store our Worm Factory worm bin year round. We hide the worm bin behind a large silk scarf draped over a tension curtain rod near the front. It doesn’t smell, so no one knows it’s there but us (and now you).
The worm factory is easy to use since the instructions are printed on the black plastic lid. I like the spigot near the bottom where you can siphon out ‘worm tea’ to feed plants indoors and out. Not only is this a great way to recycle kitchen veggie scraps, but also to recycle paper from the shredder, lint from the Continue reading
Posted in Business, Health, Opinion, Stewardship
Tagged Animals, Do-it-yourself, Economics, Family, Food, Frugal, Garden, health, Humor, Sustainable
I enjoy a serene living space. But sometimes I’ve found myself in a cluttered living space not knowing how I got there, or how to get out. Several years ago when I was a young mom I discovered a website called Flylady. It was a ‘how to clean out your clutter’ site, and was based on the simple premise of starting out by keeping your kitchen sink clean. Which sounds simple enough, but when you’re self-employed at home and you’ve got small children, there didn’t seem to be time to eat, clean up, do voice work, enjoy your kids AND keep the sink clean. Ours was the house that looked like it had blown up inside, with couch cushions on the floor as forts, snacks (on little plates if I was lucky) on the floor between Lego projects and Thomas train tracks in various configurations.
The kids had a GREAT childhood. Good food was eaten by all (eventually). Clients were overjoyed with our fast turn-around and professional voice work. But clutter? Yeah, that’s where things got backed up.
Back to Flylady. It said that if you start with Continue reading
Posted in Media, Opinion, Stewardship
Tagged Community, Do-it-yourself, Economics, Family, Free, Frugal, health, Humor, News, Sustainable
Sometimes you just need a nap. Or a good book and then a nap. Or being with a good friend on a sunny day outside with a good book then a nap. Naps are relaxing. You know you feel comfortable with a friend when you can take a nap together.
Also, when the rest of the world seems to be going crazy is a good time for a nap. Sometimes a person can get so tired/frustrated that they aren’t able to think straight or make good decisions – a nap would be appropriate during these times as well. Adults need naps. College students need naps. Why are naps only seen as a necessity for young children? (Maybe the kids should stay up and play and the parent(s) should take the nap?)
My email has stealthily accumulated myriad subscriptions to political, commercial, and hobby interests. I’d open it and be bombarded with frantic pitches to donate money, sign petitions and buy now! These were all organizations I believe in that I at one time signed a petition, or purchased something I liked/ needed, or asked to receive their newsletters/coupons.
So this past week I unsubscribed. As I received emails, I thought over each one. If I need their product or service in the future, I can easily Continue reading
Posted in Business, Health, Opinion, Stewardship
Tagged Do-it-yourself, Economics, Frugal, health, Humor, Relax, Spirituality
Looking for a holiday tradition that doesn’t involve drinking to excess, shopping into poverty, or watching TV until your eyes fall out? Here’s all-age, interactive fun involving friends and/or family…and it ends with good times and sweet gifts for all. My friend Sue Warner-Bean – who the tradition belongs to – tells the story in her own words:
Hi! Oh gosh yes — happy to have you share it with others. It has become a Really Big Deal for all of us, including the kids. Cookie Day started about Continue reading
What a great use for scraps from 2×4’s! My son wanted to build something, but at the time he was only a third grader, and I’m not very handy with building tools. So we created this simple folk art project from scrap 2×4’s laying around the garage. Using a combination of nails and screws, we attached the boards, then painted them with outdoor paint. The sponge clown nose is attached with a nail, and the antlers are Continue reading
Posted in Stewardship, Tech
Tagged Art, Community, Do-it-yourself, Economics, Family, Frugal, holidays, Humor, Love, Sustainable
Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon: “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” So she decided to do something about it – to research and apply happiness to her life.
With humor and insight, she chronicled her adventures during the 12 months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier. Since Rubin is a mom and loves her city, she didn’t uproot herself; instead, she focused on improving her life as it was.
Her conclusions: money CAN buy happiness when spent wisely, novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness, over ‘treating’ yourself can make you feel worse, and Continue reading
Better Ideas Now 