There’s nothing like the feeling I get from a clean room. Knowing that everything is tidy and no chores are left to be done is a beautiful thing… and an intricate part of my path to wellness.  But lately I have a battling relationship with my broom and spray bottle. Partly because I’m slowly moving away from chemical cleaning products but was unsure of what to replace them with. But also because I’ve just been lazy busy. Either way, I’m growing tired of knowing there is work to be done and can’t stand seeing any kind of mess in my way so I’m buckling down and starting a chore schedule.  I’ve never really scheduled my chores before, or at least not since I was a kid. And I’m not too good at sticking to a schedule that no one but myself is making sure I follow. (Actually, I don’t think I’m very good at it when there is someone either.) Regardless…it’s time for change and change I shall attempt.

Here’s how I figured out my new cleaning routine:

Task #1:

Find the tools with which to clean

TLC offers the 10 Green Home Cleaning Tips with instructions on how to use “The Fantastic Four cleaners” (vinegar, salt, lemon juice, and baking soda) for every room in your house. These ingredients are not only safe for your family and your environment but they are a heck of a lot cheaper and sometimes more effective then their toxic counterparts. Add a broom, some spray bottles, a few old rags, and a bucket and I’ve got myself a defense against any dust or dirt that dares to settle on my surroundings.

Task #2:

Learn how to clean

I’m actually pretty good at deep cleaning but I my skills haven’t been helping me so much on the day-to-day. I found the help I needed on Curbly.com in badbadivy’s post  “Clean like a maid.” She taught me “top to bottom” and “left to right.” Two obvious cleaning techniques that I obviously needed to be reminded of. She also recommended cleaning on a weekly schedule.

Task #3

Set a schedule to clean

If my life were anything close to a set schedule right now, this would be an easier task, but since I’m not always sure of where I may be on any given day, it’s difficult to designate a specific day for cleaning. So I designated every day. To each day I assigned a set of chores based on difficulty and expected necessity. I wrote it all down in a journal and then downloaded the Chore Checklist app to my phone so I can check off accomplished tasks and set reminders as needed.

So that’s my new goal. I’m hoping for the best. I figure if I start doing a little bit each day than it won’t take up too much of my time and I won’t really have to do much “deep cleaning.” It’s an effort. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Happy Dusting!

Well folks, the day has arrived. 30 days of a strict plant based diet. I’m nervous and excited and half forget why I decided to do this. But only half. My goals…to become more mindful about the things that I eat and how it affects my body and the environment. Will I become vegan for life? I’m not sure. The All-Star has made it quite clear that for him this will only be for 30 days, so I will be purchasing and preparing meat in the future. I will, or rather hope, to only serve meat that was brought to my table in only the most humane ways possible and, I believe, a strong plant-based menu will allow me to do that more effectively and affordably.

I shopped at Whole Foods for the first time yesterday. After watching Food, Inc. I’ve decided that it’s finally time to switch to local and organic. Whole Foods isn’t as scary and expensive as I imagined it would be. If you stay on the perimeter and in the bulk section it’s actually quite reasonable. Plus, without spending any money on meat I was able to splurge on their gorgeous and delicious organic produce!  Sunday I’ll go to the farmer’s market where I’m sure I’ll find some great deals. I hear that carrots are very good right now!

Okay, so back to the Challenge! 30 days. No animals products of any kind.  This includes fish and dairy but does not include honey, which doesn’t actually come from an animal but is sort of made by one, but it’s not the same so I’m chucking the notion. I probably won’t be eating many processed foods, which I really don’t anyway so that’s not an issue. I also don’t plan on eating much seitan or tofu. I don’t think there is anything wrong with those foods necessarily, I’m just not a huge fan. I can easily just eat beans and whole grains for my nutrients, and of course lots of vegetables!  Breakfast is going to be a challenge since we won’t be eating eggs. Hot cereal and breakfast bars I suppose. I have a colleague who eats rice for breakfast, I’m anxious to try that out. Suggestions are welcome!

The challenge commenced at tonight’s dinner table and since it’s Tuesday we went Crock Pot style. I used another recipe from the wonderful Fresh from The Vegetarian Slow Cooker. Page 40 – Moroccan-Style Lentil & Chickpea Soup. It was really amazing. I added some rice since it contained no whole grains. It’s the first time I’ve cooked with harissa sauce, which if you like spicy and fragrant is a sauce you’ve got to try! I made it myself thanks to the recipe on p. 41 of the cookbook but you can also buy it at the store.

This picture does it no justice.

So that’s about that. As I go along I will post about snags I’ve encountered, helpful websites and useful health information. Feel free to comment. You opinions are always appreciated! Good luck to all those playing along or embarking on your own challenges. See you at the finish line!

“What’s that candy wrapper doing there? Well don’t you see it? Well pick it up!”

I have a friend, she lives in Philadelphia, she’s the creator of the blog Simply Vegan, she’s studying to be a doctor, and she’s asked us to JOIN HER…

In order to modify negative conditions, collaborative and universal participation is vital! Every time I step outside my apartment in Philadelphia I notice the debris littered across the sidewalk and streets. It doesn’t matter if it’s deliberate or unconscious. This form of disrespect and lack of pride in our environment, residence, and our own being needs to stop. This is why I am asking for people to join me in cleaning up our neighborhood!

Tomorrow being Mother’s Day and all, it seems only appropriate to give a little extra love to that big mother we call Nature and help her to gain a little power back over her health.

So today, in an attempt to give a little back to the Earth that Mother Nature has so graciously adorn with beauty, we’re going to the streets…and picking up trash!

Ms. will be at Phillie’s City Center around 4pm EST. If you see her, lend a hand. I have a busy day of work and other commitments so I plan to carry a bag with me and pick up any garbage I see lying around. An on going through the day pick-up! I don’t care if people think I’m strange. If they ask me what I’m doing, I’ll tell them. Maybe we’ll start an epidemic. She’s already got 20 people on her nationwide team. That may sound small but can you imagine if twenty random people when out each day and picked up trash. Well what if we got thirty more… “Can imagine if fifty people a day, I said fifty people a day” going out and picking up trash. “Well friends they may think it’s a movement.” And that’s what this is! A movement to get out there and make the world a little cleaner.

In today’s society, shopping for food is anything but easy. If we’re lucky enough to fight our way through the processed food section of the grocery store and reach the shining light of the produce department, we’re still faced with that grueling question…organic or non-organic? We all know that organic is the healthier way to go. We also all know that it’s more expensive. What’s a health-food nut to do?

Usually I shamefully pass by the small organic section of my local food market, glancing long-fully at the less than perfect looking produce like a child with no allowance outside a candy store. At this point in my life I find it difficult to break that bank for a head of cauliflower. Okay, so an extra $.50 won’t break the bank, but it adds up. To supplement my lacking initiative to splurge for my health, usually opt for local, seasonal foods over organic and, fingers crossed, hope that the chemicals used to keep the pests away aren’t reeping havic on my body.

Finally, last week, a little bit of my frustration was eliminated when I found the “dirty dozen,” a list of foods that you most definitely should buy organic. Also included, a list of fruits and veggies that you can skimp on if you have to. Kudos to whomever first printed this list. My body and my wallet thank you.

So here’s the Dirty Dozen list, in no particular order, of fresh foods that you should always opt to buy organic…

12 Most Contaminated

• Peaches
• Apples
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Cherries
• Pears
• Grapes (Imported)
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Potatoes

And the equally appreciated list of foods that don’t require your whole paycheck…

12 Least Contaminated

• Onions
• Avocado
• Sweet Corn
• Pineapples
• Mango
• Asparagus
• Sweet Peas
• Kiwi Fruit
• Bananas
• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Papaya

So there ya have it. A simple solution to a grappling question. And lucky, some of these items are often on sale. Right now in California, organic pears are on sale for ridiculously cheap. Bell peppers, however, are often expensive regardless of the farming method. So I make some sacrifices, or rotate my shopping list. Whenever possible, I recommend shopping at your farmer’s market.  There you’ll find more organic options for a cheaper price and guaranteed local and in season. To find a farmer’s market near you visit localharvest.com.

I was just introduced to this GREAT website called Local Harvest.  There you can find a ton information about locally grown food.  You can also find a farmer’s market near you.  Some of the listings even tell you what products/crops they sell, and in what season they are available.  And the best part of all… (drumroll please)… they give you recipes!  Does it get any better?

I’m excited about this.  I think it’s important to encourage others to shop at farmers’ markets whenever possible.  By doing so, not only are you promoting wholesome eating habits, but you’re supporting your local farmers, which improves your local economy.  Not to mention it improves your carbon footprint.  While farmer’s markets are still not available in every area, they are becoming more and more popular as people begin to realize the importance of eating naturally grown, whole foods.  (And not with Whole Foods prices – which is a story for another time).

I’m heading off to Florida tomorrow to see some family I haven’t seen in a while.  It should be a really great trip.  Hopefully I’ll have some post worthy experiences.   I wish a happy and wholesome Thanksgiving to all.