Life's gotten away from me again with research and papers and teaching (oh my!), and so my posting's gone a bit awry. I don't know if I can get it back again for a bit, but at the very least I wanted to keep track of what I'm doing over here, especially as I start Sharon and Aaron's garden design course.
And so, here's where I am after the last few weeks:
1. Plant something: Grew some mung bean sprouts.
2. Harvest something: Ate some mung bean sprouts.
3. Preserve something: Dried some green onion.
4. Store something: Not really.
5. Manage Reserves: Went through onions and potatoes to take out those starting to go.
6. Cook something new: New lentil recipe; cooked cod and tilapia for the first time (yum); made roasted sweet potatoes (also yum).
7. Prepped something: Stocked up on a bit more food; picked up a book on building log cabins and homes from the thrift store; continued with decluttering and tidying my apartment; filled some more bottles with water to store; picked up two basic first aid/keeping warm goodies - a hot water bottle and an ice pack bag.
8. Learned a new skill: Not really so much here either, however I have started taking a teaching certificate course in the hopes that it will improve my teaching in general (and, honestly, in the hopes that it will also make me more marketable when I start hunting for a job).
9. Worked on community food security: Not really so much here either.
10. Reduced waste: Worked on getting over my tendency to throw out food that's just starting to go bad - instead I'm working to cut off just the bad bits and use the rest; turned off a few appliances that I suspect of draining power.
11. Regenerated: Started another new goodwill pile of the things that I don't need and am getting rid of to make room for the important stuff.
In good but not quite related news, I've just found out that I've won a $1500 award from the university to support my research. I have to claim against the money - they don't just give it to me - but it means I can get some materials that I need, and possibly even some useful post-peak books to add to my bookshelf without paying out of pocket for them, which is really rather lovely. I can then use that money for a few of the things that I still have my eye on, but have yet to buy, like a grain mill and a solar oven.
Showing posts with label independence days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label independence days. Show all posts
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Independence Days update
1. Plant something: Nope.
2. Harvest something: Nope.
3. Preserve something: Also nope.
4. Store something: Nope.
5. Manage Reserves: Reorganized pantry (but might need to do this again soon); still working on decluttering and deciding what's important and what's not.
6. Cook something new: New bread recipe; sushi bowls.
7. Prepped something: Stocked up on food while I have the use of a car - 20 lbs of all purpose flour, four kilos of rice, five lbs sugar, canned tomatoes, rolled oats, kosher salt, pasta, bisquick (for quiche - one of the few semi-prepared things I buy still), frozen fish.
8. Learned a new skill: Guitar skills slowly improving; learning how to hand wash clothes on a wash board; bread making.
9. Worked on community food security: Talked a bit more about food issues with sweetie and another friend - mixed reception all-round; signed up for some teaching classes that I hope will come in handy on this front.
10. Reduced waste: Picked up bus pass, but generally not a good week for this either - will post more later.
11. Regenerated: Took a car load of clothes and other bits and pieces to the local goodwill.
2. Harvest something: Nope.
3. Preserve something: Also nope.
4. Store something: Nope.
5. Manage Reserves: Reorganized pantry (but might need to do this again soon); still working on decluttering and deciding what's important and what's not.
6. Cook something new: New bread recipe; sushi bowls.
7. Prepped something: Stocked up on food while I have the use of a car - 20 lbs of all purpose flour, four kilos of rice, five lbs sugar, canned tomatoes, rolled oats, kosher salt, pasta, bisquick (for quiche - one of the few semi-prepared things I buy still), frozen fish.
8. Learned a new skill: Guitar skills slowly improving; learning how to hand wash clothes on a wash board; bread making.
9. Worked on community food security: Talked a bit more about food issues with sweetie and another friend - mixed reception all-round; signed up for some teaching classes that I hope will come in handy on this front.
10. Reduced waste: Picked up bus pass, but generally not a good week for this either - will post more later.
11. Regenerated: Took a car load of clothes and other bits and pieces to the local goodwill.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Independence Days update
After two weeks of my back giving out, I'm only just starting to get back into the swing of things now. But, since I've borrowed a car for a week, I'm hoping to get some more stockpiling done soon, and maybe work on a few other things that need doing.
1. Plant something: Nope.
2. Harvest something: Nope.
3. Preserve something: Also nope, unless you count the sanity-preserving qualities of a week off at home.
4. Store something: More wool sock yarn and knitting needles.
5. Manage Reserves: Sorted through the pantry, which seems to get out of order remarkably quickly; sorted through the yarn stash and planned some projects (okay...mostly socks, hats, and gloves for warmth); ongoing decluttering and tidying of the apartment (doubtful this will ever stop, given my tendency towards nonlinear dynamics).
6. Cook something new: pasta with a rose sauce (to use up leftover cream); rice and bean burritos with salsa.
7. Prepped something: Bought a guitar capo and book, to work on my skills for entertaining myself and others; started a database of important information on the new computer (which will also be burned and, in some cases, printed to have handy in a binder); bought a book on home repairs and another of knitting patterns from the thrift store.
8. Learned a new skill: Working on more guitar and singing skills.
9. Worked on community food security: Not really.
10. Reduced waste: Took leftovers from mom that were going to be thrown out.
11. Regenerated: Added to my ever-growing goodwill donation pile.
1. Plant something: Nope.
2. Harvest something: Nope.
3. Preserve something: Also nope, unless you count the sanity-preserving qualities of a week off at home.
4. Store something: More wool sock yarn and knitting needles.
5. Manage Reserves: Sorted through the pantry, which seems to get out of order remarkably quickly; sorted through the yarn stash and planned some projects (okay...mostly socks, hats, and gloves for warmth); ongoing decluttering and tidying of the apartment (doubtful this will ever stop, given my tendency towards nonlinear dynamics).
6. Cook something new: pasta with a rose sauce (to use up leftover cream); rice and bean burritos with salsa.
7. Prepped something: Bought a guitar capo and book, to work on my skills for entertaining myself and others; started a database of important information on the new computer (which will also be burned and, in some cases, printed to have handy in a binder); bought a book on home repairs and another of knitting patterns from the thrift store.
8. Learned a new skill: Working on more guitar and singing skills.
9. Worked on community food security: Not really.
10. Reduced waste: Took leftovers from mom that were going to be thrown out.
11. Regenerated: Added to my ever-growing goodwill donation pile.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Christmas Independence Days update
Little late on this - I've hurt my back and been somewhat out of commission in addition to dealing with everything else that's going on now. In general, Christmas wasn't so hot in terms of my independence days project. It wasn't a wash, I don't think, but between being with my folks and away from home and this year's gift selections...well...it probably could have been better.
The one thing that I was hoping for that I didn't get was Sharon's book, although I did get a gift card that will be used to purchase said book, so that works well too. But another warm wool blanket has found its way into my life, as have some lovely kitchen things that I'm looking forward to using (I still have a few posts planned on aesthetics and, as much as possible, making your home into a place that you want to be). And, from my sweetie I got a copy of the More with Less Cookbook, which I think is a must-have for easy, cheap, and tasty meals from the pantry. But, more specifically, here's the current breakdown.
1. Plant something: Nope.
2. Harvest something: Nope.
3. Preserve something: Also nope.
4. Store something: Nope.
5. Manage Reserves: Not so much.
6. Cook something new: Picked up a few new recipes from mom, as well as two new cookbooks to try out.
7. Prepped something: Got another wool blanket to add to the reserves, as well as a hand-turned egg beater (I've been looking for one for ages, but all the new ones I found were small and stiff and badly made - this one is lovely, though.)
8. Learned a new skill: Nope, although my brother has promised to teach me the basics of bike repairs and, possibly, home brewing.
9. Worked on community food security: Talked a bit about food issues with my parents and boyfriend by taking advantage of a relocation show on HGTV talking about a family moving to Ireland and buying a small farm to become sustainable.
10. Reduced waste: Had the joy of being in a city with a large green box (high-level composting) program - I have to admit that I pined for the same in my city, but no signs of that coming to fruition, so I guess it's back to the worm box plan.
11. Regenerated: Donated to the church, which has some excellent outreach efforts through their foodbank, both in terms of feeding people and working on generating community.
The one thing that I was hoping for that I didn't get was Sharon's book, although I did get a gift card that will be used to purchase said book, so that works well too. But another warm wool blanket has found its way into my life, as have some lovely kitchen things that I'm looking forward to using (I still have a few posts planned on aesthetics and, as much as possible, making your home into a place that you want to be). And, from my sweetie I got a copy of the More with Less Cookbook, which I think is a must-have for easy, cheap, and tasty meals from the pantry. But, more specifically, here's the current breakdown.
1. Plant something: Nope.
2. Harvest something: Nope.
3. Preserve something: Also nope.
4. Store something: Nope.
5. Manage Reserves: Not so much.
6. Cook something new: Picked up a few new recipes from mom, as well as two new cookbooks to try out.
7. Prepped something: Got another wool blanket to add to the reserves, as well as a hand-turned egg beater (I've been looking for one for ages, but all the new ones I found were small and stiff and badly made - this one is lovely, though.)
8. Learned a new skill: Nope, although my brother has promised to teach me the basics of bike repairs and, possibly, home brewing.
9. Worked on community food security: Talked a bit about food issues with my parents and boyfriend by taking advantage of a relocation show on HGTV talking about a family moving to Ireland and buying a small farm to become sustainable.
10. Reduced waste: Had the joy of being in a city with a large green box (high-level composting) program - I have to admit that I pined for the same in my city, but no signs of that coming to fruition, so I guess it's back to the worm box plan.
11. Regenerated: Donated to the church, which has some excellent outreach efforts through their foodbank, both in terms of feeding people and working on generating community.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Independence Days update
1. Plant something: didn't plant anything directly, but I did order a number of seed catalogues to plan for this summer; checked for seeds in a few local stores, but was disappointed by the offerings there.
2. Harvest something: again, not so much here this week.
3. Preserve something: dehydrated nine pounds of carrots, a head of celery, celery leaves, and some cabbage.
4. Store something: soy sauce and mung beans from the local Asian grocery store; more water in reused plastic bottles and jugs.
5. Manage reserves: went through bags of carrots, onions, and potatoes to remove any going bad.
6. Cook something new: tried a new pad thai recipe; made whole wheat apple cinnamon muffins.
7. Prepped something: further decluttered my apartment, and especially the kitchen (so much easier to cook and keep clean now!); picked up a good-sized cast iron dutch oven on clearance and two more wool blankets from the thrift store.
8. Learned a new skill: didn't learn anything new, but I have been working on my sewing skills.
9. Worked on community food security: talked to some friends about Peak Oil and food issues (although I'm not sure how effective this was).
10. Reduced waste: left out cleaning supplies (from my houseguest, which I won't use) in the building's laundry room for someone else; reused old pots for plants on the patio; saving egg cartons to use to start seedlings in the spring; dehydrated foods rather than throwing them out before heading home for Christmas.
11. Regenerated: put more donations aside for Goodwill.
2. Harvest something: again, not so much here this week.
3. Preserve something: dehydrated nine pounds of carrots, a head of celery, celery leaves, and some cabbage.
4. Store something: soy sauce and mung beans from the local Asian grocery store; more water in reused plastic bottles and jugs.
5. Manage reserves: went through bags of carrots, onions, and potatoes to remove any going bad.
6. Cook something new: tried a new pad thai recipe; made whole wheat apple cinnamon muffins.
7. Prepped something: further decluttered my apartment, and especially the kitchen (so much easier to cook and keep clean now!); picked up a good-sized cast iron dutch oven on clearance and two more wool blankets from the thrift store.
8. Learned a new skill: didn't learn anything new, but I have been working on my sewing skills.
9. Worked on community food security: talked to some friends about Peak Oil and food issues (although I'm not sure how effective this was).
10. Reduced waste: left out cleaning supplies (from my houseguest, which I won't use) in the building's laundry room for someone else; reused old pots for plants on the patio; saving egg cartons to use to start seedlings in the spring; dehydrated foods rather than throwing them out before heading home for Christmas.
11. Regenerated: put more donations aside for Goodwill.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Independence Days update
So much grading and other work to do this week, and as a result, I didn't get as much done here as I wanted to. But, at the same time, there were things accomplished, bit by bit, and I'm enjoying keep of track of where I've been, where I am, and where I want to be.
1. Plant something: not so much here again, although i have ordered seed catalogues for the coming year.
2. Harvest something: again, not so much here, but giving some thought about what I would like to harvest in the future.
3. Preserve something: again, not so much here - busy week, and nothing growing over here - but I'm thinking about what I can do for the coming week here.
4. Store something: mung beans, curry paste, and dried shitakes from the Asian grocery store; sugar, flour, and spices from a friend.
5. Manage Reserves: worked on inventory (slow process, but it's coming); sorting the remains of what my temporary houseguest left with me when she left; further decluttering my apartment to make more room; sorting food into appropriate containers.
6. Cook something new: tried a new pad thai recipe; made red curry soup with veggies and rice noodles; made ginger crinkle cookies from scratch for a party (yum!)
7. Prep something: picked up a not-so-great grain grinder from Goodwill, and I'm working to see if it's very coarse grinding can be improved on at all; also picked up some additional wool from Goodwill (for hand warmers, produce bags, and a patchwork blanket, probably); attached shopping basket to the rack of my favourite bike.
8. Learn a new skill: practicing the guitar and trying to get back my previous abilities; started sewing a bonnet (out of fashion, perhaps, but keeps the sun off and reduces risk of sun stroke).
9. Work on community food security: I kind of sucked here again this week, although I did have a chance to talk to a friend about some of the issues that I'm most concerned with; talked to a colleague about food issues, and asked for a copy of the syllabus for his class that deals with some of these issues; trying to plan how I could introduce these ideas into a class of my own, since this is really important information to be aware of and thinking about.
10. Reduce waste: put in a power bar to turn off appliances and reduce phantom load, especially at night; started collecting extra water in the shower to water plants; picked up paper from recycling bins on campus to use as scrap paper
11. Regenerate: food bank donation; looking into volunteering at the food bank.
1. Plant something: not so much here again, although i have ordered seed catalogues for the coming year.
2. Harvest something: again, not so much here, but giving some thought about what I would like to harvest in the future.
3. Preserve something: again, not so much here - busy week, and nothing growing over here - but I'm thinking about what I can do for the coming week here.
4. Store something: mung beans, curry paste, and dried shitakes from the Asian grocery store; sugar, flour, and spices from a friend.
5. Manage Reserves: worked on inventory (slow process, but it's coming); sorting the remains of what my temporary houseguest left with me when she left; further decluttering my apartment to make more room; sorting food into appropriate containers.
6. Cook something new: tried a new pad thai recipe; made red curry soup with veggies and rice noodles; made ginger crinkle cookies from scratch for a party (yum!)
7. Prep something: picked up a not-so-great grain grinder from Goodwill, and I'm working to see if it's very coarse grinding can be improved on at all; also picked up some additional wool from Goodwill (for hand warmers, produce bags, and a patchwork blanket, probably); attached shopping basket to the rack of my favourite bike.
8. Learn a new skill: practicing the guitar and trying to get back my previous abilities; started sewing a bonnet (out of fashion, perhaps, but keeps the sun off and reduces risk of sun stroke).
9. Work on community food security: I kind of sucked here again this week, although I did have a chance to talk to a friend about some of the issues that I'm most concerned with; talked to a colleague about food issues, and asked for a copy of the syllabus for his class that deals with some of these issues; trying to plan how I could introduce these ideas into a class of my own, since this is really important information to be aware of and thinking about.
10. Reduce waste: put in a power bar to turn off appliances and reduce phantom load, especially at night; started collecting extra water in the shower to water plants; picked up paper from recycling bins on campus to use as scrap paper
11. Regenerate: food bank donation; looking into volunteering at the food bank.
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