Feeling Clean and Green

Recently I stumbled across the book Clean. It's a cleansing or "detox" program that is designed to rid your body of toxins. I have always be intrigued by these cleansing programs, but have never done much research into them. This program seemed different. It made more sense to me. So I ordered the book. Once I read the book cover to cover, I was convinced that I wanted to give it a go.

On Saturday I started the elimination portion of program. He includes menus in the book as well as a list of foods that you can and can not eat. You can not have wheat, red meat, dairy, sugar, caffeine (there are a couple of teas that you can have), or alcohol. You can not eat anything with preservatives, additives, nitrates, or artificial anything. Basically, you eat fresh organic fruits , vegetables, lean meats, fish, beans, and grains like brown rice or quinoa. There are also supplements that he recommends.

You do the elimination program for a week and then you do the cleansing program for 3 weeks. Going into it I knew that I did want to do the full program. My goal was to complete the elimination part. Doing the cleansing for 3 weeks is not realistic right now. It is a lot of work as far as the preparation goes, but I do know that there are certain things that I am going to change about my diet now which will help me to continue to be Clean.

Since I have been so conscious of the food I am putting into my body, it has made me more aware of other toxins that you normally don't think about. It has reaffirmed that there is a good reason why I choose certain sunscreens or lotions. There is a reason I want to eat organic and locally grown food. I buy hot dogs for the kids that don't contain nitrates for a very good reason. Sometimes it is hard to remember why we do these things. Now don't get me wrong. We are not perfect, but I know we are on the right path.

This Weeks in Crafts

I had one of those weeks where I thought about all of the things that I wanted to make, but didn't actually make any of them. I have so many ideas swirling around in my head, but for some reason have lacked the motivation to but any of them in motion.

One of the projects I have been contemplating is putting together DIY coffee cozy kits for my Etsy shop. I just do not know if there would be interest in something like that. I was thinking they would include the applique pattern, thread, eco felt for the applique, and felted wool sweater cut to size for the cozy. What do you think?

The other thing I have been wanting to explore is fusing plastic bags. I completed one sheet. You can see it underneath my drawings. It's the target bag looking thing.

I did actually finish one thing this week-another custom owl. This one is for a Temple University graduate. Harper named him T-Bird, which I thought was very fitting.

Speaking of owls, my creatures that appeared in Stuffed Magazine were on my front porch yesterday when I got home.

As you can see the kids were glad to see them again. Miller was kissing Flowers not trying to eat her. Just so you know. It was really interesting to see the difference between these owls and the one I just finished above. They seem to be growing bigger. I guess that helps keep each one unique.

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Make Your Place

The same day that I received my GreenCraft magazine I also received a copy of Make Your Place. I saw the book over at Crafting a Green World and knew I had to have it. I mean everyone needs to have affordable, sustainable nesting skills, am I right? Plus, it cost $5. It is published by Microcosm Publishing, which has a really cool website and tons of very cool books.

The whole book is handwritten and illustrated. It is loaded with information from herbal remedies, to homemade cleaners, and even gardening.

I read this book cover to cover in one night. I absolutely loved it. I know I will keep it readily accessible because I will reference it often. If this sort of thing tickles your fancy, you really should splurge and get yourself a copy.

GreenCraft Magazine and A Few Owls

Don't you just love going to the mailbox and finding something unexpected tucked among all the other boring mail? Well, my GreenCraft magazine was in the mailbox yesterday. Yeah, how exciting, right?

This magazine is jam packed with some awesome projects and ideas. I feel so honored that my cozies are included among them.

I also completed a custom order this week.

Visit Carrie for more Crafty Tuesday.

Best Shot Monday- Say Cheese

This is my new favorite shot of Harper. Her smile is genuine which I rarely capture these days. I am choosing it as my Best Shot Monday.

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Garden Update

Despite those pesky bunnies, we have had a little success with our garden this year. It has not been as plentiful as I imagined it in the early spring, but I am chalking it up as a learning experience.

We did not get to eat one strawberry. The bunnies ate most of them or they were rotten on one side when they were ready to be picked. The bunnies enjoyed the spinach too so that was a disappointment. The pole beans, squash, and tomato plants are flourishing though.

Between the CSA and our own plants, we have been eating lots of squash.

Hopefully soon we will have lots of tomatoes and beans too.

My herb garden has been pretty puny this year too, especially compared to last year. I do have some basil, cilantro, dill, thyme, and parsley but not much of it.

Only one of our sunflowers survived after being unwatered for a week while we were on vacation. It looks like we should be seeing a flower soon. Then we can officially participate in the Great Sunflower Project.

Here a couple of random shots from the yard.

I am not sure what these are, but I thought they looked cool.

A few of the daylilies.

Wordless Wednesday- There's Always Hope

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One of Those Days

Yesterday was one of those days. Not horrible and it certainly could have been worse, but nothing seemed to be going our way. All Harper wanted to do was go swimming. Our next door neighbor has a pool, but they were not home. The rec center did not open until 1:00. We promised her a swim after nap. She even put on her bathing suit before she laid down for her nap in preparation.

When she woke up, Mitch went next door and asked if we could come over for a swim. They said "yes" and Mitch said we were going to wait for the sun to come back out. Well, the sun didn't come back out and it started to thunderstorm. Eventually it stopped raining and Mitch set up the little baby pool for them , which seemed to appease them.

So I decided to start dinner. I went to the grocery store earlier and we were planning on grilling out. I checked the fridge and could not find the shrimp and fish any where. I checked the fridge in the garage, but no fish. I checked the freezer....no fish. I checked the back on the van and there was still one bag of groceries left in the van. Of course, it contained all the frozen and cold stuff I had purchased earlier. AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH! We had to throw everything away. It had been sitting in my very hot van for at least 7 hours.

Mitch headed to the grocery store to replace the spoiled food. I started some rice and put corn on the grill. He got home and turned on the other burners on the grill. He came inside and made kebabs with the shrimp along with some pineapple and mushrooms. When he opened the grill to cook the kebabs, it wasn't hot. Of course, we had used all the propane. So he headed back to the store to get more propane. At this point all we could do was laugh and drink a beer.

I am choosing the above shot as my best shot because the photo seemed to fit well with the story and he is just too darn cute.

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Last Installment of Vacation Photos

A few more favorites I wanted to share from our trip.

Vacation Photos- 2nd Installment

Here's a few more vacation photos for your viewing pleasure. I am slowing making my way through them.

Sweet baby Elle.

Aidan shooting a web at me.

The first day and already good friends.

Miller lounging by the pool.

Chris and his kids.

Peace out...

The dynamic duo.

Mmmmmm......ice cream

Oh, I miss vacation.

A Few Vacation Favorites

I have many, many more to share, but these are a few of my favorites.

More Wordless Wednesday here.