Summer Time (is almost here)

We started using our pool this year towards the end of March. It being rather on the frigid side, I haven't been swimming yet. The kids have used it about 3 days a week on average so far, but as Thurs. and Fri. we are supposed to see 100 degree weather. Neil says it's the best investment we've ever made. I agree, because it gives me plenty of quite time in the house while they are all out back. Alex is in LOVE with snorkel masks and borrows Sam and Lyndee's any chance he gets.

This is my vegetable "garden" this year. Every year I attempt to plant tomatoes, they become over grown and infested with aphids and Neil is the one that has to clean it up when it's all over. So this year, I decided to do three plants, a lemon cucumber, a yellow zuchinni, and a cherry tomato. Have you seen the Topsee Turbee on T.V. selling for $19.95? I made my own using plastic grocery bags I've collected. I used 3-4 each bags each, cut a tiny hole, pushed the plant through, added soil, then duct taped the bottom to help the plant stay put. I water every couple of days and now I have green tomotoes on the vine and flowers on the squash and cucumber. I plan on my garden fresh produce coming from Lyndee's grandpa's garden. He put in almost 30 plants. Anyone have a good salsa and pasta sauce recipe for canning?

Feeding the family beans

I've commited to myself to feed my family beans for 2 dinners a week. Not only is this a great way to save on our grocery bill, it's very healthy (low in fat, high in fiber), and helps the environment. By cutting down on the amount of meat we consume helps with our carbon footprint (read the attached link) and helps the environment. So I already accomplished to bean meals this week and am in search of other bean recipes so the family doesn't have to eat the same soup over and over again. One of the dishes we had this week was this one. I can't find it on the internet so I'm going to type it up for everyone.

First 5's Famous 10-Layer Soup

1/4 cup of each: black beans, small red beans, pinto beans, small white beans, pink beans, black-eyed peas, yellow split peas, green split peas, lentils, pearl barley (so basically 2.5 cups of beans or legumes. You can mix and match if you don't have exact. The split peas and lentils are great to thicken the soup)

1 - 14.5 oz. can stewed tomatoes, chopped up
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 tbsp. dried basil
1 tbsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. salt
2 cubes of bouillon (any flavor)
ham or ham hock, if desired

Add beans and seasonings (except salt and bouillon) in crock pot with 5 cups of water and cook on high for 4 hours. Add canned tomatoes, celery, carrot, onions, ham, salt and bouillon. Cook for another 2-3 hours on high or until beans are nice and tender.

Served with homemade bread. I found a wonderful book called Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day were you mix 4 loaves at a time and refrigerate it. The easiest bread I've every made.

Becoming more eco friendly

So lately I've really become concerned with the effects myself and my family have on our environment. I've become aware that each human being needs to take part in conserving, recycling and saving as much as they possibly can so our earth can support our children and grandchildren. So to do my part I've started with some simple steps. Neil and I (my idea though) put in a clothes line in the backyard. I the last week I've used my dryer one time out of 8 loads of laundry. I'm VERY proud of myself for doing this. 1. Because I knew Neil wouldn't be thrilled about the clothes line, but he has warmed up to the idea. 2. It takes alot longer to hang clothes on the line than it does to throw them in the dryer. 3. I'm hoping for a decrease on our electric bill, a cooler garage in the summer, and to lesson our carbon footprint.

Another big thing I'm doing is switching to all natural, organic cleaning agents. I love the cleaner I've mix up. Here's the recipe:

In a squirt bottle mix 1 part white vinegar, 1 part distilled water, a couple good squirts of Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap, about 14 drops of lemon or orange essential oils.

This is a wonderful cleaner for the kitchen and the bathroom. Vinegar is a natural dissenfectent so you won't have to worry about germs.

I made my own fabric softener using 1 part Burt's Bee Hair Conditioner to 5 part white vinegar (this doesn't have to be exact). You can use any type of hair conditioner but I like Burt's Bee's brand because they are certified organic and are a fair trade company.

I've also switched my laundry soap to an all natural brand that I bought in bulk at Costco. I also buy my vinegar there as well.

I hope this will bring some inspiration to you to do what you can to help our environment.