Today I watched Kelton & Camille while Heather went for a run, and then Heather watched Tessa while I took Shep for a walk/run. When we were all back at my house, we were hungry - and here's what we hatched up for lunch. It was DELICIOUS - I could eat it by the bucketful. :-)
Ladies' Lunch Salad
3 garden fresh radishes (purple variety)
handfuls of garden fresh lettuce
about two dozen shrimp
half a large avocado
yellow pear tomatoes
Dressing
lemon juice
olive oil
salt
garlic
To prepare:
Have two five year olds and a two year old pick the garden produce. Wash well. (One of ours was accidentally placed into a cup of coffee by a two year old; you may omit this step if you choose.) Chop and tear into bite sized pieces.
To make the dressing:
Using a mortar and pestle (did I spell that correctly?), smash up a couple of garlic cloves with a healthy dose of coarse sea salt until they make a paste. Add this paste to an old jar with lid, and add lemon juice and olive oil to taste. Shake well to mix.
To make the shrimp:
Sprinkle the shrimp with salt and pepper. Oil a grill pan, and place it on the BBQ. Two minutes per side, dose with lemon juice a couple of times while cooking.
Toss all ingredients together - ambrosia! The avocado creates a creaminess in the salad, and the spice of the radishes balances the mellow lettuce flavors. I'll be making this one regularly from here on out.
(Note: We got frozen shrimp at Costco in a resealable bag, so we can remove a handful at whim. Not too expensive....but probably not green, either, and certainly not local. I'll have to work on that aspect.)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Garden notes
More harvesting - strawberries and lettuce.
The pea vines are climbing and doing well (although they seem to want to climb the ground, instead of the lovely bamboo poles I've provided them - what's with that?).
I planted another row of spinach to replace the one that failed, and another row of lettuce (to supplement what we've got) today. I filled in the gaps where we've pulled radishes, and planted more of them, as well. And we put in some random flowers (cosmos, a wildflower mix, and sunflowers) at the ends of the veggie rows. A little beauty wouldn't hurt, if you ask me.
The strawberries off the vine are nothing short of divine. All I can say is, if you've only tasted grocery store strawberries, then you've never tasted strawberries. These are exquisite. They are sweet, juicy, and more flavorful than just about anything in the world. They're incredible! They are inspiring me to get raspberries planted next year - this year, we've done a lot, but I think we have room for perhaps three raspberry bushes against the house in a sunny spot in the side yard.
With the removal of the pampas grass, we have room for more strawberries, and I anticipate planting perhaps 15 more plants next year. Oh, YUM! We could not possibly have too many - our family likes them too much. As it is, we're fighting over whose turn it is to get one each time. :-)
Our blueberry plants are small, but they are surviving, and look like they'll each have a few berries. I watered them today; I suspect that they need more water (especially for this, their first year) than I'd been giving them. Now that summer is closer at hand I will water them deeply a couple of times per week and hope that does the trick.
One of our worm bins is going dormant, and so we'll soon have some lush compost to add to the yard from that bin. The other bin has flies and I'm not sure what's up with that, and I haven't disturbed it lately so I should go dig down and see if the worms are thriving or dying in it. I think it's too wet; it needs some shredded newspaper mixed in for bedding. Frankly, I can't get "regular" composting figured out, and I don't want to buy products to mix in, so it's just random stuff thrown in and it doesn't seem to turn into any kind of compost....I have to work on that.
The onions are looking strong, and so are the garlic sprouts. I think I'm supposed to harvest them in the fall, but I don't quite remember...
The tomatoes that I grew from seed (two plants) are looking fine and sturdy, but so small compared to the ones that I got from starts. At this rate, I don't know how they'll ever bear fruit by fall. The ones from starts, on the other hand, are looking fabulous, thick and green with yellow blossoms. It will be a while until we can enjoy their fruit, but I am hopeful on that front. Today I planted three small tomato (cherry) varieties, including a yellow pear, a Matt's something-or-the-other (an heirloom variety) and I think a small red cherry, I can't remember without looking at it. We should have tomatoes in every color, size, and shape, and I can't wait. Our ten plants ought to be enough that we don't have to fight over them each day, and we can have insalata caprese as often as we choose without rationing. I also dream of eating whole bowls full of mixed cherry tomatoes, as they taste like candy....YUM!
The herb garden out back is flourishing. I'll have to cut back the cilantro, as it's bolting (any advice on that, anyone?) and covered with flowers - I'm startled at how much it has grown. The sage looks lovely, the oregano is going nuts, and the curly parsley also looks fabulous. I don't see any signs of the parsley seeds I planted, but I'm trying to be patient on that. The rore semary has been there for years and is doing just fine. The chives were completely overgrown by the oregano, so I'd like to buy another plant and try again. There are also some flowers in the pots, and I think it all looks really cheerful and lovely out back right now.
I still haven't attacked the back raised bed, but it's taking care of itself. The peonies bloomed, the lady's slipper is in abundance, and the bleeding heart is strong, plentiful, and in variety (red, pink, white). The irises don't like their location and don't seem to bloom, but that's okay, because their strong leaves form a nice contrast to the other stuff in the bed. I keep thinking that I'm going to add potatoes there, but it might not happen. We will see!
I replanted some squash seeds today, because they got mulched over and didn't fare well. Some have leaves, others looked ill, so I'm supplementing. We will see what happens. One plant looks strong and is growing well, but since I have four varieties (two summer, two winter) plus sugar pumpkins, I'm hopeful for more.
The nasturciums are coming up nicely, and I hope for colorful blooms (I bought a variety of colors). The cosmos are also in full green though not in bloom, and I'm hoping for more color there, as well. Maybe by Melissa and Ross's shower there will be flowers amidst the vegetable beds - that would be lovely. We will see!
The basil still looks yellow; the beets are non-existant (except maybe one - will I honestly get ONE beet?!). The spinach needed more water than we were giving it, and many seeds didn't germinate, so we're watering more and seeing small results there. Hopefully the new set of seeds will do better.
The carrots are plodding along, by no means lush, but there are green tops, so I'm hopeful that under the soil good things are happening. I just added the third variety about a week ago, and there's no sign of anything there, but I wouldn't expect it yet.
We bought ladybugs for natural pest control as some of our roses looked a little sickly (especially my favorite red rose bush in the back - was it lack of water? aphids? why are the blooms curled up on the edges?). I've also been adding coffee grounds around the roses as I'm told they like that....it had better be true, or I'm killing the roses!
I am VERY pleased to report that I have stayed committed to organic gardening, and nothing unnatural has entered our garden. The mulch is all from shredded trees from a neighbor; the compost is mostly from the wormbins but with some organic (purchased) compost added. (There is something strangely thrilling about knowing that old bread crusts, avocado peels, carrot tops, and the like have been converted into edible food by feeding our garden....) Pest control is ladybugs only - we haven't had much of a problem with pests so far, and the addition of ladybugs today might have been premature or unnecessary. We have soaker hoses for watering, and are hopeful that we can use less water because they are efficient. Weeding is done by hand, certainly no chemicals there, just a lot of dirt under my fingernails despite wearing gloves.
I am starting to feel like an actual gardener. Harvesting a big of this and that here and there is exciting to me, and feels like an actual accomplishment.
I have even started to dream of converting more of our yard into an even bigger veggie garden for next year.....we could do the other side of the walk, too. I don't need grass in the front yard, after all, as we never hang out in the front except on the porch.....
But right now, my hands are full, and what I have is enough....
The pea vines are climbing and doing well (although they seem to want to climb the ground, instead of the lovely bamboo poles I've provided them - what's with that?).
I planted another row of spinach to replace the one that failed, and another row of lettuce (to supplement what we've got) today. I filled in the gaps where we've pulled radishes, and planted more of them, as well. And we put in some random flowers (cosmos, a wildflower mix, and sunflowers) at the ends of the veggie rows. A little beauty wouldn't hurt, if you ask me.
The strawberries off the vine are nothing short of divine. All I can say is, if you've only tasted grocery store strawberries, then you've never tasted strawberries. These are exquisite. They are sweet, juicy, and more flavorful than just about anything in the world. They're incredible! They are inspiring me to get raspberries planted next year - this year, we've done a lot, but I think we have room for perhaps three raspberry bushes against the house in a sunny spot in the side yard.
With the removal of the pampas grass, we have room for more strawberries, and I anticipate planting perhaps 15 more plants next year. Oh, YUM! We could not possibly have too many - our family likes them too much. As it is, we're fighting over whose turn it is to get one each time. :-)
Our blueberry plants are small, but they are surviving, and look like they'll each have a few berries. I watered them today; I suspect that they need more water (especially for this, their first year) than I'd been giving them. Now that summer is closer at hand I will water them deeply a couple of times per week and hope that does the trick.
One of our worm bins is going dormant, and so we'll soon have some lush compost to add to the yard from that bin. The other bin has flies and I'm not sure what's up with that, and I haven't disturbed it lately so I should go dig down and see if the worms are thriving or dying in it. I think it's too wet; it needs some shredded newspaper mixed in for bedding. Frankly, I can't get "regular" composting figured out, and I don't want to buy products to mix in, so it's just random stuff thrown in and it doesn't seem to turn into any kind of compost....I have to work on that.
The onions are looking strong, and so are the garlic sprouts. I think I'm supposed to harvest them in the fall, but I don't quite remember...
The tomatoes that I grew from seed (two plants) are looking fine and sturdy, but so small compared to the ones that I got from starts. At this rate, I don't know how they'll ever bear fruit by fall. The ones from starts, on the other hand, are looking fabulous, thick and green with yellow blossoms. It will be a while until we can enjoy their fruit, but I am hopeful on that front. Today I planted three small tomato (cherry) varieties, including a yellow pear, a Matt's something-or-the-other (an heirloom variety) and I think a small red cherry, I can't remember without looking at it. We should have tomatoes in every color, size, and shape, and I can't wait. Our ten plants ought to be enough that we don't have to fight over them each day, and we can have insalata caprese as often as we choose without rationing. I also dream of eating whole bowls full of mixed cherry tomatoes, as they taste like candy....YUM!
The herb garden out back is flourishing. I'll have to cut back the cilantro, as it's bolting (any advice on that, anyone?) and covered with flowers - I'm startled at how much it has grown. The sage looks lovely, the oregano is going nuts, and the curly parsley also looks fabulous. I don't see any signs of the parsley seeds I planted, but I'm trying to be patient on that. The rore semary has been there for years and is doing just fine. The chives were completely overgrown by the oregano, so I'd like to buy another plant and try again. There are also some flowers in the pots, and I think it all looks really cheerful and lovely out back right now.
I still haven't attacked the back raised bed, but it's taking care of itself. The peonies bloomed, the lady's slipper is in abundance, and the bleeding heart is strong, plentiful, and in variety (red, pink, white). The irises don't like their location and don't seem to bloom, but that's okay, because their strong leaves form a nice contrast to the other stuff in the bed. I keep thinking that I'm going to add potatoes there, but it might not happen. We will see!
I replanted some squash seeds today, because they got mulched over and didn't fare well. Some have leaves, others looked ill, so I'm supplementing. We will see what happens. One plant looks strong and is growing well, but since I have four varieties (two summer, two winter) plus sugar pumpkins, I'm hopeful for more.
The nasturciums are coming up nicely, and I hope for colorful blooms (I bought a variety of colors). The cosmos are also in full green though not in bloom, and I'm hoping for more color there, as well. Maybe by Melissa and Ross's shower there will be flowers amidst the vegetable beds - that would be lovely. We will see!
The basil still looks yellow; the beets are non-existant (except maybe one - will I honestly get ONE beet?!). The spinach needed more water than we were giving it, and many seeds didn't germinate, so we're watering more and seeing small results there. Hopefully the new set of seeds will do better.
The carrots are plodding along, by no means lush, but there are green tops, so I'm hopeful that under the soil good things are happening. I just added the third variety about a week ago, and there's no sign of anything there, but I wouldn't expect it yet.
We bought ladybugs for natural pest control as some of our roses looked a little sickly (especially my favorite red rose bush in the back - was it lack of water? aphids? why are the blooms curled up on the edges?). I've also been adding coffee grounds around the roses as I'm told they like that....it had better be true, or I'm killing the roses!
I am VERY pleased to report that I have stayed committed to organic gardening, and nothing unnatural has entered our garden. The mulch is all from shredded trees from a neighbor; the compost is mostly from the wormbins but with some organic (purchased) compost added. (There is something strangely thrilling about knowing that old bread crusts, avocado peels, carrot tops, and the like have been converted into edible food by feeding our garden....) Pest control is ladybugs only - we haven't had much of a problem with pests so far, and the addition of ladybugs today might have been premature or unnecessary. We have soaker hoses for watering, and are hopeful that we can use less water because they are efficient. Weeding is done by hand, certainly no chemicals there, just a lot of dirt under my fingernails despite wearing gloves.
I am starting to feel like an actual gardener. Harvesting a big of this and that here and there is exciting to me, and feels like an actual accomplishment.
I have even started to dream of converting more of our yard into an even bigger veggie garden for next year.....we could do the other side of the walk, too. I don't need grass in the front yard, after all, as we never hang out in the front except on the porch.....
But right now, my hands are full, and what I have is enough....
Happy Father's Day!
Not just a Hallmark holiday, today is a chance to remember that we had help getting into the world, and that (for those mothers who are fortunate) we do not raise our children alone, but with a father at our sides.
I am grateful for my father's love, kindness, and encouragement of me. I am grateful that he has allowed me to follow my hopes and dreams, even when they weren't what he had dreamed for me, and that he accepts me as I am.
I am grateful that Tessa has such a loving father, and that I have such a loving husband in Ryan. I am grateful that she has a Daddy to climb on, to play with, to learn from, to protect her, to teach her to ride her bike. I am grateful that he makes it a priority to attend events important to her, and to not miss out on the big or little things. I am grateful that Ryan provides for our family, allowing us to live in this wonderful community, to grow vegetables in our garden, to have a house that is truly a home to us.
This morning Tessa woke up around 5am and came tumbling into our bed, filled with excitement. "Happy Father's Day!" she beamed. "I have presents for you, Daddy!" Fortunately, we were able to convince her to sleep a couple more hours before said presents were opened (though I slept with her foot in my ribs, I swear....this is why I can not co-sleep at this age...she's a restless sleeper!).
Tessa, along with her preschool class, had made brownies. Tessa also made a card with a picture of Ryan holding a "really really REALLY big cup of coffee....and the mug has decorations on it!" Together, we gave Ryan a cap with Life is Good and a bicycle on it, as well as a C&P coffee card.
We attended church today, including flower communion (a UU tradition) and presentations put on by each class, including Tessa's. We went to lunch at Taqueria Guyamas (sp?) in the Junction with the Hisatomi's, and then Ryan came home for bike fiddling while Tessa and I went to the Farmer's Market and Tessa got a cone at Husky Deli. Then, we came home, planted a few more tomatoes (I've become worried I won't have enough....but with 10 plants, SURELY we will have enough, right?), harvested a few more strawberries, did a bit more weeding, etc.
Ryan is enjoying his Father's Day bike ride right now....of course!
Tonight we'll have a simple meal, shared with neighbors Sarah and Steven, and then roast more marshmallows for more s'mores.
The sun is out, and all is well. Happy Father's Day!
I am grateful for my father's love, kindness, and encouragement of me. I am grateful that he has allowed me to follow my hopes and dreams, even when they weren't what he had dreamed for me, and that he accepts me as I am.
I am grateful that Tessa has such a loving father, and that I have such a loving husband in Ryan. I am grateful that she has a Daddy to climb on, to play with, to learn from, to protect her, to teach her to ride her bike. I am grateful that he makes it a priority to attend events important to her, and to not miss out on the big or little things. I am grateful that Ryan provides for our family, allowing us to live in this wonderful community, to grow vegetables in our garden, to have a house that is truly a home to us.
This morning Tessa woke up around 5am and came tumbling into our bed, filled with excitement. "Happy Father's Day!" she beamed. "I have presents for you, Daddy!" Fortunately, we were able to convince her to sleep a couple more hours before said presents were opened (though I slept with her foot in my ribs, I swear....this is why I can not co-sleep at this age...she's a restless sleeper!).
Tessa, along with her preschool class, had made brownies. Tessa also made a card with a picture of Ryan holding a "really really REALLY big cup of coffee....and the mug has decorations on it!" Together, we gave Ryan a cap with Life is Good and a bicycle on it, as well as a C&P coffee card.
We attended church today, including flower communion (a UU tradition) and presentations put on by each class, including Tessa's. We went to lunch at Taqueria Guyamas (sp?) in the Junction with the Hisatomi's, and then Ryan came home for bike fiddling while Tessa and I went to the Farmer's Market and Tessa got a cone at Husky Deli. Then, we came home, planted a few more tomatoes (I've become worried I won't have enough....but with 10 plants, SURELY we will have enough, right?), harvested a few more strawberries, did a bit more weeding, etc.
Ryan is enjoying his Father's Day bike ride right now....of course!
Tonight we'll have a simple meal, shared with neighbors Sarah and Steven, and then roast more marshmallows for more s'mores.
The sun is out, and all is well. Happy Father's Day!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Now this feels like summer
Never mind the fact that I have jeans an a polarfleece AND a sweater on....
Today Ryan, Tessa and I purchased a small outdoor firepit for our backyard. (I figure that there has to be SOME good purpose for the concrete pad out there....and it IS fireproof.) We have spent the last hour roasting marshmallows for s'mores and listening to Tessa say, "I love s'mores! They're the best thing in the whole world! Can I have s'more?" and giggling at the pun.
I love camping. I love campfires. I don't particularly love s'mores (although our extra dark chocolate did help!) but I love roasting marshmallows. I love wearing fleece under the trees and watching the flames crackle. I love being with my family, and watching them smile. (And I love how Tessa climbed into Ryan's lap to wipe some marshmallow off his lip. Somehow very sweet.) We plan to camp for real next weekend, but this is a lovely intro to camping season.
(And we wondered if cousins Caleb and Joshua, on their way to Yellowstone today, were also roasting marshmallows by a fire....)
More to say....we went to the Habitat new house blessing for three units that were just completed, and it brought tears to my eyes to see the families who will take possession of those houses. I am glad to share in it. Tessa hand-delivered the money she raised at her lemonade stand, and was widely thanked. I pray that this leads her to a lifetime of charity and generousity, sharing her love and talent with the world, and that she remembers how GOOD it feels to give and is inspired to do even more.
Over and out....the fire hasn't died down and I think a glass of wine awaits me. Good night!
Today Ryan, Tessa and I purchased a small outdoor firepit for our backyard. (I figure that there has to be SOME good purpose for the concrete pad out there....and it IS fireproof.) We have spent the last hour roasting marshmallows for s'mores and listening to Tessa say, "I love s'mores! They're the best thing in the whole world! Can I have s'more?" and giggling at the pun.
I love camping. I love campfires. I don't particularly love s'mores (although our extra dark chocolate did help!) but I love roasting marshmallows. I love wearing fleece under the trees and watching the flames crackle. I love being with my family, and watching them smile. (And I love how Tessa climbed into Ryan's lap to wipe some marshmallow off his lip. Somehow very sweet.) We plan to camp for real next weekend, but this is a lovely intro to camping season.
(And we wondered if cousins Caleb and Joshua, on their way to Yellowstone today, were also roasting marshmallows by a fire....)
More to say....we went to the Habitat new house blessing for three units that were just completed, and it brought tears to my eyes to see the families who will take possession of those houses. I am glad to share in it. Tessa hand-delivered the money she raised at her lemonade stand, and was widely thanked. I pray that this leads her to a lifetime of charity and generousity, sharing her love and talent with the world, and that she remembers how GOOD it feels to give and is inspired to do even more.
Over and out....the fire hasn't died down and I think a glass of wine awaits me. Good night!
More response to my letter, with my response
Thank you for your response.
When you make the changes you mention, I will be glad to buy your products again. I applaud you for working towards these goals of sustainability and "going green," and when I see Christopher Ranch products without plastic packaging (in particular) I will gladly buy them.
Kristina Surface
http://rykri.blogspot.com
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now. -Goethe
-----Original Message-----
From: Garlicia [mailto:garlicia@christopherranch.com]
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 11:02 AM
To: Kristina Surface
Subject: Re: packaging
Hello Kristina:
Thank you for contacting us. Farmers have inherently been stewards of the land - how else can we ensure the continuation of crops from year to year - and Christopher Ranch is no exception. We are going "green" and making many changes right now including:
Looking at ways to reduce packaging use in general, as well as:
. Significantly reducing petroleum based packaging materials like
plastic and cellophane
. Eliminating white cardboard and phasing out laminates to make all
packaging recycleable and biodegradeable
. Working towards compostability
. Trying to maximize post-consumer materials when packaging is
required
. Providing our offices with easy access to recycling bins for
cans/bottles/mixed paper.
. Working with all suppliers to insure that we have the most
environmentally friendly and up-to-date packaging available.
Christopher Ranch is trying to do its part to reduce, reuse and recycle so we appreciate your feedback and concern. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Garlicia
Christopher Ranch
A Day Without Garlic... Tasteless!
When you make the changes you mention, I will be glad to buy your products again. I applaud you for working towards these goals of sustainability and "going green," and when I see Christopher Ranch products without plastic packaging (in particular) I will gladly buy them.
Kristina Surface
http://rykri.blogspot.com
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now. -Goethe
-----Original Message-----
From: Garlicia [mailto:garlicia@christopherranch.com]
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 11:02 AM
To: Kristina Surface
Subject: Re: packaging
Hello Kristina:
Thank you for contacting us. Farmers have inherently been stewards of the land - how else can we ensure the continuation of crops from year to year - and Christopher Ranch is no exception. We are going "green" and making many changes right now including:
Looking at ways to reduce packaging use in general, as well as:
. Significantly reducing petroleum based packaging materials like
plastic and cellophane
. Eliminating white cardboard and phasing out laminates to make all
packaging recycleable and biodegradeable
. Working towards compostability
. Trying to maximize post-consumer materials when packaging is
required
. Providing our offices with easy access to recycling bins for
cans/bottles/mixed paper.
. Working with all suppliers to insure that we have the most
environmentally friendly and up-to-date packaging available.
Christopher Ranch is trying to do its part to reduce, reuse and recycle so we appreciate your feedback and concern. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Garlicia
Christopher Ranch
A Day Without Garlic... Tasteless!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Sending the Ward family to Panama
Tonight we spent the evening with Jenny, Liam and Zoe at C&P.
There will be a big hole in our lives when they leave - we're really going to miss them. In particular, I will really miss Jenny. We do so much together, and we meet up so often...
There will be a big hole in our lives when they leave - we're really going to miss them. In particular, I will really miss Jenny. We do so much together, and we meet up so often...
Follow up on Activism - Results!
Here is the response I received - wow! This small action might actually cause a difference. I like that.
-------------------------------------
Dear Kristina,Thank you for including us in the "Cc" of your email to Christopher Ranch. We put?forth great effort to provide eco-smart?options for?our?customers?but in most cases?our vendors have the control of how?their product?comes?to us. Eliminating the additional packaging would be an excellent thing for Christopher Ranch?to?consider.I will be forwarding your letter to our produce department manager to research feasible options for a more earth friendly way to sell our organic garlic.Thank you again for writing, and I will be sure to inform you of any developments regarding your note.MicheleWebmasterWest Seattle Thriftway
-------------------------------------
Dear Kristina,Thank you for including us in the "Cc" of your email to Christopher Ranch. We put?forth great effort to provide eco-smart?options for?our?customers?but in most cases?our vendors have the control of how?their product?comes?to us. Eliminating the additional packaging would be an excellent thing for Christopher Ranch?to?consider.I will be forwarding your letter to our produce department manager to research feasible options for a more earth friendly way to sell our organic garlic.Thank you again for writing, and I will be sure to inform you of any developments regarding your note.MicheleWebmasterWest Seattle Thriftway
Activism for the Day
Here's a letter I sent on email today. Only took me a moment...not sure if it will make a difference, but I'm trying!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Christopher Ranch and West Seattle (Morgan Street) Thriftway,
Recently I bought some Christopher Ranch garlic from the organic section at the West Seattle Thriftway in Seattle, Washington. I have no complaints with the garlic itself - and I commend you for offering organic - but I am very concerned about the packaging.
Garlic, in particular, comes in it's own handy, resilient package. I do not understand why it is necessary or desireable to add packaging to a garden product that is already self contained, and it concerns me. One of the reasons that I buy organic is to prevent wear and tear on our earth, and it seems that extra packaging is not the way to go.
Could stores put a little "Christopher Ranch" sign next to the garlic, instead, if you want customers to know where the garlic came from? One sign would serve the same purpose - one little piece of cardboard instead of packaging on every single product. I'm sure it would save your company money, as well, as packaging isn't cheap.
The little blue plastic mesh bag is now in a landfill, forever. I'm recycling the piece of cardboard at the top…but that plastic will take thousands of years to degrade.
Please consider different options for packaging your garlic, including my favorite, which is no packaging at all.
I choose not to buy overpackaged products, and in the future, I will buy my garlic elsewhere, where it is not packaged in man-made materials, but sits in its own papery skin, ready for me to grab.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kristina Surface
-------------------
On another note, this morning I made a giant batch (sharing with multiple friends) of my favorite chicken-pasta-arugula salad (which, ironically, does not contain garlic). I mixed it up by adding steamed asparagus and fresh zuchinni, as I think that just about any veggies would be good in it (I kept the red onion, arugula, herbs, and cherry tomatoes that it calls for, as well).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Christopher Ranch and West Seattle (Morgan Street) Thriftway,
Recently I bought some Christopher Ranch garlic from the organic section at the West Seattle Thriftway in Seattle, Washington. I have no complaints with the garlic itself - and I commend you for offering organic - but I am very concerned about the packaging.
Garlic, in particular, comes in it's own handy, resilient package. I do not understand why it is necessary or desireable to add packaging to a garden product that is already self contained, and it concerns me. One of the reasons that I buy organic is to prevent wear and tear on our earth, and it seems that extra packaging is not the way to go.
Could stores put a little "Christopher Ranch" sign next to the garlic, instead, if you want customers to know where the garlic came from? One sign would serve the same purpose - one little piece of cardboard instead of packaging on every single product. I'm sure it would save your company money, as well, as packaging isn't cheap.
The little blue plastic mesh bag is now in a landfill, forever. I'm recycling the piece of cardboard at the top…but that plastic will take thousands of years to degrade.
Please consider different options for packaging your garlic, including my favorite, which is no packaging at all.
I choose not to buy overpackaged products, and in the future, I will buy my garlic elsewhere, where it is not packaged in man-made materials, but sits in its own papery skin, ready for me to grab.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kristina Surface
-------------------
On another note, this morning I made a giant batch (sharing with multiple friends) of my favorite chicken-pasta-arugula salad (which, ironically, does not contain garlic). I mixed it up by adding steamed asparagus and fresh zuchinni, as I think that just about any veggies would be good in it (I kept the red onion, arugula, herbs, and cherry tomatoes that it calls for, as well).
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Preschool Graduation
I only teared up once - and for that, don't I get some kind of mothering-medal?!
I told Tessa, and I'll shout it from the rooftops:
I am proud of my daughter.
I am proud of my daughter.
I am proud of the way she loves to learn.
I am proud of who she is.
I am proud of what a good student she is.
I am proud of my daughter.
The sun is out!
Literally - it is glorious outside right now.
And figuratively, too. Tonight Tessa graduates from preschool, and she is so excited and proud of herself. Her enthusiasm is contagious - this is a very big deal to her, and we can't help but feel her energy. She's quivering with happiness like a wiggly puppy, and I love it.
And I get to be a part of it. Cancer is not around today. I will be there at this first of (hopefully many) graduations. Today that little dream comes true, and I, too, am shaking with the emotion of it. This time, not trembling in fear, but quivering with happiness like my daughter.
I had lunch with Michele, and delighted in sharing in our friendship, healthy food, and children.
And the garden rewarded us today, too! Our first crops are coming in: radishes and strawberries are being harvested today. Our salad will have fresh garden lettuce in it, as well as radishes, and when Ryan comes home Tessa and Daddy will go and pluck the sun-warmed berries from the vines and then pop them straight into their mouths together. Bliss!
And my parents are coming over, along with my grandma, to share in the graduation bliss and to share an early Father's Day dinner.
And my parents are coming over, along with my grandma, to share in the graduation bliss and to share an early Father's Day dinner.
What a lovely day. Hallelujah!
All will be well
All will be well
All manner of things
Will be well......
General Updates: Green report, Weight Watchers, Life
On the green front: Working harder than ever. My current work is on body lotions, shampoos, soaps, etc. I've switched all of our household cleaning products to natural ones (either vinegar, baking soda, Meyers, Trader Joe's, Seventh Generation, or Method brands), and now I'm switching my own products.
Toothpaste: Tom's of Maine. They've just come out with a new line that does not contain sodium laurel sulphates, but we're still using their "old" stuff. Ryan and I like minty flavors; Tessa prefers their "silly strawberry."
Deodorant: This has been a tough one. I've used, and dismissed as unworkable, Alba and Tom's of Maine brands. Yesterday I picked up a rock crystal ($2 for the small size, so at least it's cheap), as I've received good reviews about them. Apparently the mineral salts don't allow odor-causing bacteria to grow. We will see!
Shampoo & Conditioner: We just finished our bottle of Trader Joe's shampoo, so I took the empty bottle to PCC, determined to refill it with one of their natural bulk shampoos. (Why do we accept that shampoo bottles get used and tossed? Why NOT refill them?) I ended up buying Giovanni Organics brand from the bulk section, which doesn't contain fragrance (which is full of carcinogens), phalates (sp?), SLS, or parabens. My first shower with it is in a few minutes, so I don't know if it's good. Previously I bought Avalon Organics Lavendar conditioner, and I didn't like the strong scent OR the way it made my hair feels, so still working on that one.
General household soap: We bought Ballard Organics Lavendar Castile Soap. Our whole family likes the mild scent of lavendar (there were other types to choose from, as well; it uses essential oils, not "fragrance"), and castile soap is supposed to be "the best" environmentally speaking. Apparently I could use this for dish soap, general cleaning, or hand/body soap. I refilled our hand soap dispenser in our bathroom with it, with lots left over. This, too, was from the bulk section at PCC.
Sunscreen: I did NOT like the "Kiss My Face" brand, but I really like the Alba sunscreen. (On sale for $7.99; you can get different formulations and SPF levels.) I also threw out my Banana Boat Aloe Vera, because even though it LOOKED like aloe vera and said aloe vera on the sticker, reading the ingredients proved that it had very little aloe in it. (Grrr.) We love aloe for after-sun.
Lip Balm/Lip Gloss/Lip Stick: I love my Alba products, and they're inexpensive.
Face lotion: I bought a sample size "JASON Red Elements" face moisturizer with SPF in it, and I really like it (I've used it for a while). I also like the Alba moisturizer. There are a LOT to choose from, but as price is important to me as well as health, these two are the outstanding winners.
Razors: For years, we've gone to Costco to purchase their disposable razors. All of those plastic handles in landfills....to say nothing of the huge plastic packaging....it makes me cringe. We still have an abundant supply, and we will use those up, but I intend to find something with cartridges where you replace the blade but not the handle each time. I'll work on that when our razors are almost gone.
Other cosmetics: I have no idea! I don't wear make-up very often but I like to have a little available to me. I haven't researched them yet, but I will.
If you have had success with any face/body products, I'd love to hear about them.
I am currently reading "Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home" by Christopher Gavigan, and it is so helpful that I'm tempted to buy it (mine is a library copy). It has information about everything from mosquito repellent to lice treatment (argh my head itches just thinking about it...but it's a common problem in elementary schools and since Tessa is almost there.....ack!) to pet shampoos and a million other topics. For those of you who love People Magazine, you'll also love that it is a star-studded book, with tons of stars weighing in with their green experiences; there are side-bar essays throughout the book by the likes of Brooke Shields, Tobey Maguire, Kate Hudson, and dozens more.
Weight Watchers: I am on track, although it's only Thursday and I've used up more of my flex points than I'm comfortable with - it'll be a skinny weekend (not too many points) at this rate. No matter, it's worth it! Last night I made a yummy Cooking Light chicken piccata dish for Marisa and Tom, and it felt decadent even though it wasn't. (A tablespoon of butter in a dish goes a long way - yum.) We did have Bakery Nouveau desserts, but it was worth every bite. (My favorite is their raspberry topped chocolate mousse.)
And life? Busy as always. Soon, Tessa and I will go run errands to get ready for the rest of the day, which involves a lunch date with Michele and boys, preschool, my parents and grandmother coming for dinner, and then of course preschool graduation. I will try to walk to many of my errands, taking Shep with me, to get exercise and stay green.
I am looking forward to graduation immensely - I can hardly believe that my daughter has grown into such a beautiful (inside and out) child. She has already tried on her outfit for the evening (she's wearing her blue and white Easter dress with the wide blue ribbon sash; her black sparkly shoes; and a collection of jewelry she's chosen for the occassion) and she's been practicing her special graduation songs for days. Hearing her singing to herself gives me a joy that is difficult to describe.
About a day ago I think I came to a realization as to why *I* feel so emotional about this graduation. I think it's because when I was diagnosed one of my fears is that I wouldn't even see my daughter get to kindergarten....and here she is, on her way. I am so grateful for that that I'm crying as I type those words.
As I thought about it this week, I found myself negotiating with God. "I know I said I just needed to get her to kindergarten...I know I said that I would just take that....but it's not enough. Please, God, it's not enough. High school? Could I just see her graduate from high school? I know I said I would take less, but I love her so....please, please could I have more?" I heard God's voice reply. "I know," the voice said, with a smile. "I knew that all along. It's okay. Renegotiate. I understand." I didn't get any promises, just understanding. The God that I believe in doesn't negotiate, doesn't choose favors like that. The God that I believe in doesn't talk, either, for that matter! But some great spirit that I call God is out there, running the universe, and I felt that presence strongly. I was comforted somehow.
A new favorite song of mine is one that the RE (religious educator) Kari taught us, the chorus of which is a lovely meditation:
All will be well,
All will be well.
All matter of things
will be well.
If you want to hear it, you can go to iTunes and search on an album called "Mango Thoughts in a Meatloaf Town" and click on "All Will Be Well." This is the song I hum to myself when the world seems too much.
And with that....I'm off. Wish me mindfulness for the day - that despite my rushing here and there, I will remember to be present with my visit with 'Chele, that I will focus more on the joy of having my family over than the details of the dinner, that I will not think of the future, only the beautiful present, as I watch Tessa graduate.
Have a great day!
Toothpaste: Tom's of Maine. They've just come out with a new line that does not contain sodium laurel sulphates, but we're still using their "old" stuff. Ryan and I like minty flavors; Tessa prefers their "silly strawberry."
Deodorant: This has been a tough one. I've used, and dismissed as unworkable, Alba and Tom's of Maine brands. Yesterday I picked up a rock crystal ($2 for the small size, so at least it's cheap), as I've received good reviews about them. Apparently the mineral salts don't allow odor-causing bacteria to grow. We will see!
Shampoo & Conditioner: We just finished our bottle of Trader Joe's shampoo, so I took the empty bottle to PCC, determined to refill it with one of their natural bulk shampoos. (Why do we accept that shampoo bottles get used and tossed? Why NOT refill them?) I ended up buying Giovanni Organics brand from the bulk section, which doesn't contain fragrance (which is full of carcinogens), phalates (sp?), SLS, or parabens. My first shower with it is in a few minutes, so I don't know if it's good. Previously I bought Avalon Organics Lavendar conditioner, and I didn't like the strong scent OR the way it made my hair feels, so still working on that one.
General household soap: We bought Ballard Organics Lavendar Castile Soap. Our whole family likes the mild scent of lavendar (there were other types to choose from, as well; it uses essential oils, not "fragrance"), and castile soap is supposed to be "the best" environmentally speaking. Apparently I could use this for dish soap, general cleaning, or hand/body soap. I refilled our hand soap dispenser in our bathroom with it, with lots left over. This, too, was from the bulk section at PCC.
Sunscreen: I did NOT like the "Kiss My Face" brand, but I really like the Alba sunscreen. (On sale for $7.99; you can get different formulations and SPF levels.) I also threw out my Banana Boat Aloe Vera, because even though it LOOKED like aloe vera and said aloe vera on the sticker, reading the ingredients proved that it had very little aloe in it. (Grrr.) We love aloe for after-sun.
Lip Balm/Lip Gloss/Lip Stick: I love my Alba products, and they're inexpensive.
Face lotion: I bought a sample size "JASON Red Elements" face moisturizer with SPF in it, and I really like it (I've used it for a while). I also like the Alba moisturizer. There are a LOT to choose from, but as price is important to me as well as health, these two are the outstanding winners.
Razors: For years, we've gone to Costco to purchase their disposable razors. All of those plastic handles in landfills....to say nothing of the huge plastic packaging....it makes me cringe. We still have an abundant supply, and we will use those up, but I intend to find something with cartridges where you replace the blade but not the handle each time. I'll work on that when our razors are almost gone.
Other cosmetics: I have no idea! I don't wear make-up very often but I like to have a little available to me. I haven't researched them yet, but I will.
If you have had success with any face/body products, I'd love to hear about them.
I am currently reading "Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home" by Christopher Gavigan, and it is so helpful that I'm tempted to buy it (mine is a library copy). It has information about everything from mosquito repellent to lice treatment (argh my head itches just thinking about it...but it's a common problem in elementary schools and since Tessa is almost there.....ack!) to pet shampoos and a million other topics. For those of you who love People Magazine, you'll also love that it is a star-studded book, with tons of stars weighing in with their green experiences; there are side-bar essays throughout the book by the likes of Brooke Shields, Tobey Maguire, Kate Hudson, and dozens more.
Weight Watchers: I am on track, although it's only Thursday and I've used up more of my flex points than I'm comfortable with - it'll be a skinny weekend (not too many points) at this rate. No matter, it's worth it! Last night I made a yummy Cooking Light chicken piccata dish for Marisa and Tom, and it felt decadent even though it wasn't. (A tablespoon of butter in a dish goes a long way - yum.) We did have Bakery Nouveau desserts, but it was worth every bite. (My favorite is their raspberry topped chocolate mousse.)
And life? Busy as always. Soon, Tessa and I will go run errands to get ready for the rest of the day, which involves a lunch date with Michele and boys, preschool, my parents and grandmother coming for dinner, and then of course preschool graduation. I will try to walk to many of my errands, taking Shep with me, to get exercise and stay green.
I am looking forward to graduation immensely - I can hardly believe that my daughter has grown into such a beautiful (inside and out) child. She has already tried on her outfit for the evening (she's wearing her blue and white Easter dress with the wide blue ribbon sash; her black sparkly shoes; and a collection of jewelry she's chosen for the occassion) and she's been practicing her special graduation songs for days. Hearing her singing to herself gives me a joy that is difficult to describe.
About a day ago I think I came to a realization as to why *I* feel so emotional about this graduation. I think it's because when I was diagnosed one of my fears is that I wouldn't even see my daughter get to kindergarten....and here she is, on her way. I am so grateful for that that I'm crying as I type those words.
As I thought about it this week, I found myself negotiating with God. "I know I said I just needed to get her to kindergarten...I know I said that I would just take that....but it's not enough. Please, God, it's not enough. High school? Could I just see her graduate from high school? I know I said I would take less, but I love her so....please, please could I have more?" I heard God's voice reply. "I know," the voice said, with a smile. "I knew that all along. It's okay. Renegotiate. I understand." I didn't get any promises, just understanding. The God that I believe in doesn't negotiate, doesn't choose favors like that. The God that I believe in doesn't talk, either, for that matter! But some great spirit that I call God is out there, running the universe, and I felt that presence strongly. I was comforted somehow.
A new favorite song of mine is one that the RE (religious educator) Kari taught us, the chorus of which is a lovely meditation:
All will be well,
All will be well.
All matter of things
will be well.
If you want to hear it, you can go to iTunes and search on an album called "Mango Thoughts in a Meatloaf Town" and click on "All Will Be Well." This is the song I hum to myself when the world seems too much.
And with that....I'm off. Wish me mindfulness for the day - that despite my rushing here and there, I will remember to be present with my visit with 'Chele, that I will focus more on the joy of having my family over than the details of the dinner, that I will not think of the future, only the beautiful present, as I watch Tessa graduate.
Have a great day!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Coming to terms
I am thinking a lot about my coming to terms with my new body.
I know this sounds silly, but until recently I think that I'd held out hope that my body would, one day, return to normal. I think I had been deluded into thinking that one day my breasts would look like regular ones (just with scars).
My body is not normal, and will never look like normal again.
I am realizing that I need to make some practical changes. I've always liked V-necks, and when I dress up I've often worn plunging necklines as a focal point (as opposed to, say, a short skirt). I can no longer do this.
Swimsuits, tank tops, sundresses with V-necks and such must remain out of my wardrobe. I will wait until summer is over and I have my next surgery to decide whether to get rid of them permanently, but this summer, they will remain in the closet. 'Cept that I am not buying enough to replace everything (I don't plan on buying anything!) so I will deal with that this summer. But replacements will hide, not reveal.
It's such a simple thing, but it takes some getting used to.
I know this sounds silly, but until recently I think that I'd held out hope that my body would, one day, return to normal. I think I had been deluded into thinking that one day my breasts would look like regular ones (just with scars).
My body is not normal, and will never look like normal again.
I am realizing that I need to make some practical changes. I've always liked V-necks, and when I dress up I've often worn plunging necklines as a focal point (as opposed to, say, a short skirt). I can no longer do this.
Swimsuits, tank tops, sundresses with V-necks and such must remain out of my wardrobe. I will wait until summer is over and I have my next surgery to decide whether to get rid of them permanently, but this summer, they will remain in the closet. 'Cept that I am not buying enough to replace everything (I don't plan on buying anything!) so I will deal with that this summer. But replacements will hide, not reveal.
It's such a simple thing, but it takes some getting used to.
Chilly!
This weather is getting old. I think I will wear jeans and a turtleneck today. For real. In JUNE! Still, the weather isn't slowing us down...we're doing lots of things.
Yesterday, "things" meant cleaning. I went through Tessa's room for a deep clean, including throwing away a big bag of random little bits of things (birthday party favors, scraps of paper, broken bits), moving some things downstairs, organizing books, changing sheets....and dusting and vacuuming. Actually, I cleaned so much that I had to vacuum TWICE because I stirred up so much dust. (Yuck.)
And then I started on the rest of the house. The bathrooms didn't get touched but I did a lot of work on other parts.
Not great blogging material, but still, very satisfying. If I can't get my body in good working order, I can get my HOUSE in good working order. Yes, I am a control freak. Yes, I'm okay with that. (And if being a control freak helps me to clean my house, well, I'll take whatever help I can get.)
As I type, Tessa and Jessie are sharing knock-knock jokes and laughing. Mostly they are telling groaners and "five year old humor" like "Knock knock; Who's there?; Salt and pepper; hahahahahahaaaa!" but they ARE learning some jokes and it's cute. Jessie spent the night last night and the girls have been great, playing, doing art, and just enjoying one another. They were both freaked out by the windstorm and a fear of losing the power, but other than that it was smooth sailing. I love the age of five!
This is Tessa's last week of preschool - she graduates on Thursday night. WOW. I'm glad that the preschool is having a ceremony; I want to mark the occassion as special, and I think *I* need to acknowledge it in some way. Ceremonies are useful in that way; they allow us to remember, to dream...and to live in the present. On Thursday night, I will reflect on how far Tessa has come, I will dream of Tessa's kindergarten year, and I will remember just how much I love my five year old daughter, and I will be present in that moment.
And that's all from me - off to my busy day. Ciao!
Yesterday, "things" meant cleaning. I went through Tessa's room for a deep clean, including throwing away a big bag of random little bits of things (birthday party favors, scraps of paper, broken bits), moving some things downstairs, organizing books, changing sheets....and dusting and vacuuming. Actually, I cleaned so much that I had to vacuum TWICE because I stirred up so much dust. (Yuck.)
And then I started on the rest of the house. The bathrooms didn't get touched but I did a lot of work on other parts.
Not great blogging material, but still, very satisfying. If I can't get my body in good working order, I can get my HOUSE in good working order. Yes, I am a control freak. Yes, I'm okay with that. (And if being a control freak helps me to clean my house, well, I'll take whatever help I can get.)
As I type, Tessa and Jessie are sharing knock-knock jokes and laughing. Mostly they are telling groaners and "five year old humor" like "Knock knock; Who's there?; Salt and pepper; hahahahahahaaaa!" but they ARE learning some jokes and it's cute. Jessie spent the night last night and the girls have been great, playing, doing art, and just enjoying one another. They were both freaked out by the windstorm and a fear of losing the power, but other than that it was smooth sailing. I love the age of five!
This is Tessa's last week of preschool - she graduates on Thursday night. WOW. I'm glad that the preschool is having a ceremony; I want to mark the occassion as special, and I think *I* need to acknowledge it in some way. Ceremonies are useful in that way; they allow us to remember, to dream...and to live in the present. On Thursday night, I will reflect on how far Tessa has come, I will dream of Tessa's kindergarten year, and I will remember just how much I love my five year old daughter, and I will be present in that moment.
And that's all from me - off to my busy day. Ciao!
Monday, June 09, 2008
A new week
I am actually quite glad to have a new week after my rough ending to last week.
This morning Tessa went to her first soccer class of the season, so I am (once again) officially a soccer mom. I sat on my camp chair with a fleece blanket around me (wearing Gore-tex and a hat, no less) sipping my coffee to stay warm, but Tessa ran around so much she needed a drink "to wear the sweat off!" as she so eloquently put it. This year she's spending more time chasing the ball than picking up flowers and sticks, so that already is a major success. (We had a good talk about "let's pick daisies afterwards so that you can focus on soccer during the class.")
Today I hope to do a deep(er) cleaning of the house and get caught up on some chores, and perhaps have Zoe over for Tessa's entertainment. A quiet day, which feels good in the stormy weather.
My mental state of being is better than it was last week. I can't say I've moved into the "acceptance" phase for real but I *am* working on it. At church, during the sharing of joys and sorrows, I didn't share anything, but found myself sobbing quietly....I do feel the sorrow of things sometimes. But crying helped, and so did Heather's tissue, quietly passed over with a sympathetic look; so did Ryan's arms, which wrapped around me and held me close while I cried; and so did newborn Charlotte, handed to me by her mother Lauren after the service "because you look like you could use some baby love today."
Also, I fell off the wagon from WW on Friday evening and didn't really get back on until this morning. I weighed myself and I'm the same weight I was a week ago which would be disappointing except that I'm relieved that my weekend of pigishness didn't do any real damage.
Today is a new day. I'm trying to clean house metaphorically as I clean my physical space...I think it will work.
This morning Tessa went to her first soccer class of the season, so I am (once again) officially a soccer mom. I sat on my camp chair with a fleece blanket around me (wearing Gore-tex and a hat, no less) sipping my coffee to stay warm, but Tessa ran around so much she needed a drink "to wear the sweat off!" as she so eloquently put it. This year she's spending more time chasing the ball than picking up flowers and sticks, so that already is a major success. (We had a good talk about "let's pick daisies afterwards so that you can focus on soccer during the class.")
Today I hope to do a deep(er) cleaning of the house and get caught up on some chores, and perhaps have Zoe over for Tessa's entertainment. A quiet day, which feels good in the stormy weather.
My mental state of being is better than it was last week. I can't say I've moved into the "acceptance" phase for real but I *am* working on it. At church, during the sharing of joys and sorrows, I didn't share anything, but found myself sobbing quietly....I do feel the sorrow of things sometimes. But crying helped, and so did Heather's tissue, quietly passed over with a sympathetic look; so did Ryan's arms, which wrapped around me and held me close while I cried; and so did newborn Charlotte, handed to me by her mother Lauren after the service "because you look like you could use some baby love today."
Also, I fell off the wagon from WW on Friday evening and didn't really get back on until this morning. I weighed myself and I'm the same weight I was a week ago which would be disappointing except that I'm relieved that my weekend of pigishness didn't do any real damage.
Today is a new day. I'm trying to clean house metaphorically as I clean my physical space...I think it will work.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
At the end of the church year (this month) the kids are putting on a "Spirit Play" for the congregation. Tessa told us that she is the red promise....and I wasn't quite sure what that meant! Here's what I found out - they're enacting the UU principles.
For those unfamiliar with such principles, here they are....with the kids' version below.
(Copied from: http://www.uuca.org/inside/Education/ChildYouth/RainbowPrinciples.asp )
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PRINCIPLES AND SOURCES
We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta and other congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person
Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at learge
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.
RAINBOW PRINCIPLES (Children's version)
As Unitarian Universalists we believe that we should:
RED - Respect others
ORANGE - Offer fair and kind treatment
YELLOW - Yearn to learn
GREEN - Grow by sharing your thoughts and feelings
BLUE - Believe in these principles and act on them
INDIGO - Insist on peace, liberty, and justice
VIOLET - Value nature
In UUCA's Religious Education classes, we help children remember the seven Unitarian Universalist principles with the rainbow acronym "ROYGBIV" and associated phrases. As children grow and explore UUism deeper, they will learn the adult version.
Thank you, Heather, for finding me this link.
And on another note, I'm better today. Still sad, still reeling from my bad week, but better.
For those unfamiliar with such principles, here they are....with the kids' version below.
(Copied from: http://www.uuca.org/inside/Education/ChildYouth/RainbowPrinciples.asp )
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PRINCIPLES AND SOURCES
We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta and other congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person
Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at learge
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.
RAINBOW PRINCIPLES (Children's version)
As Unitarian Universalists we believe that we should:
RED - Respect others
ORANGE - Offer fair and kind treatment
YELLOW - Yearn to learn
GREEN - Grow by sharing your thoughts and feelings
BLUE - Believe in these principles and act on them
INDIGO - Insist on peace, liberty, and justice
VIOLET - Value nature
In UUCA's Religious Education classes, we help children remember the seven Unitarian Universalist principles with the rainbow acronym "ROYGBIV" and associated phrases. As children grow and explore UUism deeper, they will learn the adult version.
Thank you, Heather, for finding me this link.
And on another note, I'm better today. Still sad, still reeling from my bad week, but better.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Enough!
Another less-than-stellar doctor's visit today.
Today I went back to my plastic surgeon for a follow up.
I already knew that my left breast is migrating upwards, that it is misshapen and deformed, that the skin is tender to the touch, that it's ugly (okay that's a personal opinion but it might just be factual....trust me on this one).
Today my PS recommended that I have an intermediate surgery this summer, "if needed." He measures that the breast mound (officially, that's what these fake things are called: they are not breasts, they are breast mounds) has moved upwards about 1.5 cm. This has happened with each successive surgery (this is my fourth breast mound: first, expander, then, implant, then another implant, now another expander) and each time it's done the same. He believes it will stop migrating, and I"ll be okay. I don't see it slowing down, and I suspect that I'll hit the 2cm threshold before I see him next (July 8); each of the other attempts continued to migrate until surgical correction, and I don't see why this will be different. At 2cm, it needs corrective surgery. I will be SHOCKED if I don't pass the 2cm mark, based on previous results and current happenings.
When he told me that I needed another surgery ("Oh, don't worry. It's just a half hour procedure in our office OR," he said; but when asked if I could lift, exercise, hike, camp, or swim he said, "No, not for several weeks" and I know from experience that "several" means "six" and that would be the entire summer!) I about broke down.
He recommends this correction in July, and then he recommends postponing the next surgery until December.
I made my July 8 appointment to re-evaluate, then slunk away.
First, I cried. Then, I vented to friends. Then, more crying. I have a heavy pit in my stomach just thinking about it.
But I have made some conclusions of my own.
Except for anything life threatening, I do not want more surgery. I will do surgery #10 in October as planned, but I will not add surgery #11 or postpone another surgery. Frankly, I thought that last October was my last surgery; then, upon finding a new PS I was prepared for "just one more" and that quickly got negotiated to two more. I will not negotiate again.
My PS will argue, he will say, "You didn't get this far to stop now!"
He has a valid point, except this: I can not take it any more. And I am not at ALL convinced that "just one more" will do the trick. I am convinced that my body does not like foreign bodies. I am convinced that each surgery wears on me, causing further fatigue, and wearing my soul. I am tired of giving away weeks of my life to pain and fatigue and surgical complications and doctors appointments. I have wasted far too much of my one "wild and precious life" by pursuing breasts already. I am just about done.
So, one more surgery, and I will take what I get, and give up on any hope of a normal chest. I will accept that the results are not optimal. I will move on.
I have decided to go down two cup sizes. Initially, I asked for a "large B, small C" and I've received Ds. (Don't ask me why: I don't know. Yes, I've complained. To no avail.) Now, I'm demanding a middle-of-the-road B. That's what I was before, and what I want to be again. It will be easier on my body (less skin stretching etc., and since the radiated side is "angry"), and it will draw less attention to my chest. Ds scream "look at me!" on my frame, and frankly, I would rather people look away. I certainly don't want to draw attention to scarring, deformity, and plastic.
(Don't think I don't see the irony of my plastic insides. Okay, so it's silicone,but you know what I mean. I'm refusing to use plastic Tupperware style containers, but I am filling my body with plastic blobs? Not my choice, is all I can say.)
I WILL MOVE ON.
I have also decided not to get nipples. Initially, I wanted nipples because they are part of normal breasts. Well, I don't have normal breasts, and I never will. Another surgery isn't worth it. Maybe I'll get tattoos of fake nipples, but I'm not doing more surgery.
Enough. I have had more than enough.
And I'm really sad.
Today I went back to my plastic surgeon for a follow up.
I already knew that my left breast is migrating upwards, that it is misshapen and deformed, that the skin is tender to the touch, that it's ugly (okay that's a personal opinion but it might just be factual....trust me on this one).
Today my PS recommended that I have an intermediate surgery this summer, "if needed." He measures that the breast mound (officially, that's what these fake things are called: they are not breasts, they are breast mounds) has moved upwards about 1.5 cm. This has happened with each successive surgery (this is my fourth breast mound: first, expander, then, implant, then another implant, now another expander) and each time it's done the same. He believes it will stop migrating, and I"ll be okay. I don't see it slowing down, and I suspect that I'll hit the 2cm threshold before I see him next (July 8); each of the other attempts continued to migrate until surgical correction, and I don't see why this will be different. At 2cm, it needs corrective surgery. I will be SHOCKED if I don't pass the 2cm mark, based on previous results and current happenings.
When he told me that I needed another surgery ("Oh, don't worry. It's just a half hour procedure in our office OR," he said; but when asked if I could lift, exercise, hike, camp, or swim he said, "No, not for several weeks" and I know from experience that "several" means "six" and that would be the entire summer!) I about broke down.
He recommends this correction in July, and then he recommends postponing the next surgery until December.
I made my July 8 appointment to re-evaluate, then slunk away.
First, I cried. Then, I vented to friends. Then, more crying. I have a heavy pit in my stomach just thinking about it.
But I have made some conclusions of my own.
Except for anything life threatening, I do not want more surgery. I will do surgery #10 in October as planned, but I will not add surgery #11 or postpone another surgery. Frankly, I thought that last October was my last surgery; then, upon finding a new PS I was prepared for "just one more" and that quickly got negotiated to two more. I will not negotiate again.
My PS will argue, he will say, "You didn't get this far to stop now!"
He has a valid point, except this: I can not take it any more. And I am not at ALL convinced that "just one more" will do the trick. I am convinced that my body does not like foreign bodies. I am convinced that each surgery wears on me, causing further fatigue, and wearing my soul. I am tired of giving away weeks of my life to pain and fatigue and surgical complications and doctors appointments. I have wasted far too much of my one "wild and precious life" by pursuing breasts already. I am just about done.
So, one more surgery, and I will take what I get, and give up on any hope of a normal chest. I will accept that the results are not optimal. I will move on.
I have decided to go down two cup sizes. Initially, I asked for a "large B, small C" and I've received Ds. (Don't ask me why: I don't know. Yes, I've complained. To no avail.) Now, I'm demanding a middle-of-the-road B. That's what I was before, and what I want to be again. It will be easier on my body (less skin stretching etc., and since the radiated side is "angry"), and it will draw less attention to my chest. Ds scream "look at me!" on my frame, and frankly, I would rather people look away. I certainly don't want to draw attention to scarring, deformity, and plastic.
(Don't think I don't see the irony of my plastic insides. Okay, so it's silicone,but you know what I mean. I'm refusing to use plastic Tupperware style containers, but I am filling my body with plastic blobs? Not my choice, is all I can say.)
I WILL MOVE ON.
I have also decided not to get nipples. Initially, I wanted nipples because they are part of normal breasts. Well, I don't have normal breasts, and I never will. Another surgery isn't worth it. Maybe I'll get tattoos of fake nipples, but I'm not doing more surgery.
Enough. I have had more than enough.
And I'm really sad.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Here is the thing.
Cancer is a bogeyman.
Cancer waits around every corner, trying to scare me.
Just when I'm in the middle of something else, I hear the growling, "BOOOO!" and I practically pee myself in terror from the first sound.
I can calm myself down after that, but I can't control my initial adreneline surge; I can't control the sweep of fear that washes over me when I hear that growl.
I have learned to talk myself out of the tree. I have learned to sternly say to the bogeyman, "Get lost," as I hold my head up high and walk away. I've even kicked some bogeyman ass a few times, just to make my point.
But still, when I hear the growl, I also hear "Gotcha." The bogeyman knows how to get me, knows how to make my skin prickle with anxiety, how to make my heart race, how to confuse me, how to turn a happy moment into an unspeakable one.
Bone density. Teeth. Cholesteral. More and more surgery. Aches that might be something more. Pain picking things up, opening things, lifting my arm. All of them are bogeyman reminders.
Yes, it's a bad day.
Yes, tomorrow will be better.
Today, however, is hard.
(And I'm blowing through WW points like mad. I'm having a bowl of Dreyer's Light Ice Cream - made with half the fat - and ohhhhhhh it's yummy. I'm afraid to read the label....)
Cancer waits around every corner, trying to scare me.
Just when I'm in the middle of something else, I hear the growling, "BOOOO!" and I practically pee myself in terror from the first sound.
I can calm myself down after that, but I can't control my initial adreneline surge; I can't control the sweep of fear that washes over me when I hear that growl.
I have learned to talk myself out of the tree. I have learned to sternly say to the bogeyman, "Get lost," as I hold my head up high and walk away. I've even kicked some bogeyman ass a few times, just to make my point.
But still, when I hear the growl, I also hear "Gotcha." The bogeyman knows how to get me, knows how to make my skin prickle with anxiety, how to make my heart race, how to confuse me, how to turn a happy moment into an unspeakable one.
Bone density. Teeth. Cholesteral. More and more surgery. Aches that might be something more. Pain picking things up, opening things, lifting my arm. All of them are bogeyman reminders.
Yes, it's a bad day.
Yes, tomorrow will be better.
Today, however, is hard.
(And I'm blowing through WW points like mad. I'm having a bowl of Dreyer's Light Ice Cream - made with half the fat - and ohhhhhhh it's yummy. I'm afraid to read the label....)
Feeling glum
I just got back from the dentist.
I have six cavities - my first since childhood.
I have lost much bone density in my teeth.
Thanks a lot, chemo. Thanks a lot, aromatase inhibitors. Thanks a lot, breast cancer.
Just when I'm feeling somewhat normal, just when I think I'm leaving breast cancer behind, these really REAL reminders come to bite me. I'm not your average 38 year old. I have an abundance of health issues that are permanent. Bone loss is serious, especially if I hope to live a long time.
I need to go to the dentist lots more times after this. I didn't get to the fluoride treatment. I didn't finish the deep cleaning. I didn't get any cavities filled. I was there for an hour and forty-five minutes (all I had available to me before I picked up Tessa). It's a good thing I wasn't there more, because that was all I could deal with.
Oh, and did I mention that I have TMJ due to bone loss? And that it's permanent? And that it could get worse? And that I am advised not to eat anything where I have to open my mouth very wide (like a sandwich or a burger)?
This sucks.
What I did not tell Tessa, is that I sat in the chair and felt like crying. I had at least a dozen shots of lydocaine, but still felt things. My mouth looked and tasted like blood. My mood was worse than the discomfort of the mouth-work.
The dentist was fabulous (he's new to me and so far I really like him), and within walking distance of home and preschool (I walked Tessa to school, then walked to the dentist, then walked back to preschool, then walked home with Tessa; Shep got to join the morning walk to and from Weight Watchers but sadly had to stay home for the second walk because he would have cried and barked for such a long wait.
I had a pastry at Bakery Nouveau to placate myself with food. I have the points, and I really wanted it. So there. (It was incredible, topped with fresh raspberries, and worth every point.)
Tonight is the Alki Elementary School Picnic, and I wouldn't miss it for the world. But I really,r eally have to get out of my mood first. I feel like crying.
Wahhhhh.
(I listened to my iPod while the dentist scraped disgusting things off my teeth. Funny enough, during the worst of it, "Big Girls Don't Cry" came on. So I'm a big girl today.)
I have six cavities - my first since childhood.
I have lost much bone density in my teeth.
Thanks a lot, chemo. Thanks a lot, aromatase inhibitors. Thanks a lot, breast cancer.
Just when I'm feeling somewhat normal, just when I think I'm leaving breast cancer behind, these really REAL reminders come to bite me. I'm not your average 38 year old. I have an abundance of health issues that are permanent. Bone loss is serious, especially if I hope to live a long time.
I need to go to the dentist lots more times after this. I didn't get to the fluoride treatment. I didn't finish the deep cleaning. I didn't get any cavities filled. I was there for an hour and forty-five minutes (all I had available to me before I picked up Tessa). It's a good thing I wasn't there more, because that was all I could deal with.
Oh, and did I mention that I have TMJ due to bone loss? And that it's permanent? And that it could get worse? And that I am advised not to eat anything where I have to open my mouth very wide (like a sandwich or a burger)?
This sucks.
What I did not tell Tessa, is that I sat in the chair and felt like crying. I had at least a dozen shots of lydocaine, but still felt things. My mouth looked and tasted like blood. My mood was worse than the discomfort of the mouth-work.
The dentist was fabulous (he's new to me and so far I really like him), and within walking distance of home and preschool (I walked Tessa to school, then walked to the dentist, then walked back to preschool, then walked home with Tessa; Shep got to join the morning walk to and from Weight Watchers but sadly had to stay home for the second walk because he would have cried and barked for such a long wait.
I had a pastry at Bakery Nouveau to placate myself with food. I have the points, and I really wanted it. So there. (It was incredible, topped with fresh raspberries, and worth every point.)
Tonight is the Alki Elementary School Picnic, and I wouldn't miss it for the world. But I really,r eally have to get out of my mood first. I feel like crying.
Wahhhhh.
(I listened to my iPod while the dentist scraped disgusting things off my teeth. Funny enough, during the worst of it, "Big Girls Don't Cry" came on. So I'm a big girl today.)
Broiled Cheese, Bread, and Bean Soup
Last night the weather was cold and damp, and so I was in the mood for soup. Never mind that it's June, this is definitely soup weather.
I turned to my favorite WW cookbook, "Ultimate Flex & Core" (what a dull name for a book that actually has delicious recipes), and found this recipe. It's great!
Broiled Cheese, Bread, and Bean Soup
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: About 15 minutes
Serves: 4
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups reduced sodium vegetable broth
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
1 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/4 teapsoon freshly ground pepper
2 15.5 ounce cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
4 ounces Italian bread, cut into chunks
1/2 cup shredded manchengo cheese
1. Heat the oil in an ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, cook, stirring requently, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the broth, tomatoes, spinach, and pepper, bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occassionally. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the flavors are blended, about 2 minutes. Stir in the beans and cook until hot, about 3 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler. Stir the bread chunks into the soup, sprinkle iwth the cheese. Stand the Dutch oven on the oven rack and broil 4 inches from the heat until the cheese and bread are lightly browned, 1-2 minutes.
Per serving (1 3/4 cups):
401 calories
8 g fat
14 g fiber
Points value: 8
My notes:
I didn't have vegetable broth, so I used beef broth. My assumption is that any kind would work.
I didn't have herbed tomatoes, so I used plain ones, and added fresh basil and oregano from our garden, and doubled the garlic.
I would have preferred fresh spinach, but our garden spinach isn't doing well, and 10 ounces owuld hve been $6 fresh (organic), so I stuck with frozen (organic for $3.49). I chose not to drain it, as that green water is full of nutrition and hey, it's soup! A little extra liquid wasn't noticable.
The notes said that other types of cheese could be used as well, and since the Manchengo at Thriftway was $10 for a small-ish chunk, I used standard Tillamook cheddar, which we already had. It was great. (Trader Joe's sells Manchengo for a reasonable price...next time I make this I'll plan ahead and get some there, because the stronger flavor woudl be good.)
I added a chopped fresh carrot, and I think that just about any additional veggies would be great, too.
And finally, I didn't stir in the bread, I placed it on top, with the cheese on top of it, so that it made a nice crust like a French Onion Soup. Looked much better, and when served it got stirred in and soaked up the good liquid anyway.
This served our family's dinner last night, and Tessa and I had it for lunch today as well. Ryan and Tessa, who are not on WW, supplemented theirs with additional slices of bread with some sliced cheese....I managed to hold off, which was tough for me, but the soup WAS filling so it was worth it.
I turned to my favorite WW cookbook, "Ultimate Flex & Core" (what a dull name for a book that actually has delicious recipes), and found this recipe. It's great!
Broiled Cheese, Bread, and Bean Soup
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: About 15 minutes
Serves: 4
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups reduced sodium vegetable broth
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
1 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/4 teapsoon freshly ground pepper
2 15.5 ounce cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
4 ounces Italian bread, cut into chunks
1/2 cup shredded manchengo cheese
1. Heat the oil in an ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, cook, stirring requently, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the broth, tomatoes, spinach, and pepper, bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occassionally. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the flavors are blended, about 2 minutes. Stir in the beans and cook until hot, about 3 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler. Stir the bread chunks into the soup, sprinkle iwth the cheese. Stand the Dutch oven on the oven rack and broil 4 inches from the heat until the cheese and bread are lightly browned, 1-2 minutes.
Per serving (1 3/4 cups):
401 calories
8 g fat
14 g fiber
Points value: 8
My notes:
I didn't have vegetable broth, so I used beef broth. My assumption is that any kind would work.
I didn't have herbed tomatoes, so I used plain ones, and added fresh basil and oregano from our garden, and doubled the garlic.
I would have preferred fresh spinach, but our garden spinach isn't doing well, and 10 ounces owuld hve been $6 fresh (organic), so I stuck with frozen (organic for $3.49). I chose not to drain it, as that green water is full of nutrition and hey, it's soup! A little extra liquid wasn't noticable.
The notes said that other types of cheese could be used as well, and since the Manchengo at Thriftway was $10 for a small-ish chunk, I used standard Tillamook cheddar, which we already had. It was great. (Trader Joe's sells Manchengo for a reasonable price...next time I make this I'll plan ahead and get some there, because the stronger flavor woudl be good.)
I added a chopped fresh carrot, and I think that just about any additional veggies would be great, too.
And finally, I didn't stir in the bread, I placed it on top, with the cheese on top of it, so that it made a nice crust like a French Onion Soup. Looked much better, and when served it got stirred in and soaked up the good liquid anyway.
This served our family's dinner last night, and Tessa and I had it for lunch today as well. Ryan and Tessa, who are not on WW, supplemented theirs with additional slices of bread with some sliced cheese....I managed to hold off, which was tough for me, but the soup WAS filling so it was worth it.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Caleb's Birthday!
We were delighted to attend Caleb's birthday party, and despite the chilly weather, we all had a great time.
Pictures!
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