Green Clean

I've always been one to think that mopping a kitchen floor is a useless endeavor. In fact, I have been on the mind set that cleaning anything more than twice a year is an utter waste of time. Dust accumulates back onto that trinket you don't really need as you're trying to remove it! It's like Jesus said, "If you're not for me, you're against me." I'd switch it up a little and say, "If it's not functional, it's a useless dust collector."

But the times they are a changin'. Since we moved out of Evelyn's (where cleanliness sometimes rivaled godliness), I have this new zeal for a clean place. Maybe it's maturity. Maybe it's my biological clock, and the nesting instinct is kicking in. Whatever it is, I want the windows sparkling, the kitchen floor spot-less, the gas stove pristine, and the bathtub as slippery and residue free as...well, as a clean bathtub, for lack of a better analogy. Of course the dilemma in all this is that I've never cleaned green. The reason being--I've never really cleaned. Sure, there was the occasional broom show when the dust bunnies had babies that were bigger than the cat, and there was the time we sold the condo in JP and had to mop the hardwood floors with Murphy's Oil Soap every Sunday afternoon, three weeks in a row. But other than that, I'm a novice, a neophyte, a "noob".

Google's great. It hasn't failed me yet. I typed in natural cleaning, and I learned all about the wonders of baking soda and vinegar. I'd heard a thing or two about them, but the myriad testimonies gave me the additional boost of confidence I needed, and I must say, I was not disappointed. My windows actually let the sunlight in (though sometimes dirty windows act nicely as room darkening shades), the fridge doesn't double as an herb (weed? strange mold?) garden, and I almost slipped and knocked out my two front teeth in the shower today!

All I do is wet the surfaces I want to clean, and then sprinkle a little baking soda over them, and scrub with a sponge or paper towel. For the toilet bowl, I add vinegar and watch it bubble, mentally noting that I probably didn't deserve that D in Chemistry after all. And the windows. Whew! 2 cups of water, 1/4 c white vinegar, and some dish soap (I use Method), plus a little rag, and those babies are going to shine! At first I was doubtful, but now, I'm hooked. Saving money and the planet...what more could I ask for? Beware though - some of your normal Saturday activities may take a backseat after you see for yourself the power of green.

Latest and Greatest

Today I was tempted. In the "buying" department. I actually had a toe ring, pair of mother of pearl earrings, and anklet in my hand, ready to show the sketchy sales guy at the flea market, when I realized what month it was. Still Ju-ly. As in the no-buy Ju-ly kind. So, head hung in slight embarrassment, I had to explain to sister, two friends, and befuddled vendor, why the purchase I had been so excited about two seconds earlier was just not happening. It was actually a really cool experience. I would have only spent $8, and in the scheme of things, that's not much. But I realized I don't "need" more stuff--and I realized it in the moment, rather than just holding my lack of need as a sentimental ideal in my heart. I understand that this is an elitist post, because some people can't afford to buy anything, whether it's no-buy Ju-ly or no-eat-because-there's-no-$$ February. However, I am doing what I can - and isn't that what my blog, and my lifestyle changes have been trying to get at?? Just do what you can. Celebrate your successes.

My sourdough bread is very sad, so I won't post the recipe. It doesn't rise. I think it tastes good, but apparently taste is subjective. It's the shape and size of a two inch thick frisbee. It tastes like beer though - which is actually a yummy flavor of bread. If only I could figure out a way to make it rise. I don't want to just use straight flour without soaking or fermenting, so I'm going to have to figure out the sourdough recipe. Maybe I should try making it with spelt instead of rye...

PS I did shave. Mark and Thomas told me that they would tie me down and do it for me, so I used my leverage and asked Mark to clean off his desk in exchange for me cleaning of my...well, you get the picture. So we're all good. And it's not a huge deal. You could braid my leg hairs though. ;-)

No-buy Ju-ly (and August too, while we're at it)

Somehow, one of my bookmarks folders was lost, and I found myself without easy access to my favorite blogs. I got lazy and never made a new folder, but that meant not checking up on Crunchy Chicken , Riana's site, These Days in French Life, or Mel's Gluten Free Krums. However, last night, I had an internetfest and I rediscovered my old faves, as well as some new faves - RyanIsHungry (helping me out with my vermicomposting dreams). Along the way, I was presented with the challenge of not buying. I've heard the idea before, but after reading Affluenza, I like the idea of an intentional month (or two) of just not buying. Now, I recognize there is power and position implicit in that statement, but I feel I need to do what I can, because I can. If I couldn't afford to buy anything, then perhaps this wouldn't be the challenge for me. But, despite the lack of jobs on both of our ends, I find myself purchasing little useless items, and I would like to go a month of intentional non-buying. I like the idea of relying on others reducing my carbon footprint, eliminating needless packaging, and continuing to simply life. Of course I'll buy food, though even that is getting increasingly more local due to the summer, and gas, and pay the bills. But nothing else. I'll make birthday cards, go hard-core freecycle, and beg, borrow, and steal. OK, maybe not the steal part, but you get what I mean. And only for those things that are really necessary.

Since there is no way I'm getting Mark to shut off the A/C anytime soon, no matter how nonchalantly I tell him (while sweating profusely in this heat wave) that I don't think we need it, this might be a good challenge...

PS The beet kvass is the best I've had ever. It's still pretty gross, but there was a certain sweetness about it this time that made it just a tad more tolerable.