Rural by Heart, Suburban by Location: My Quest to Read

Rural by Heart, Suburban by Location: My Quest to Read: " I finally petitioned to graduate with my Bachelor's in Business this week. As my educational endeavours come to an end in the next few m..."

My Quest to Read

    I finally petitioned to graduate with my Bachelor's in Business this week. As my educational endeavours come to an end in the next few months, my mind has been flooding with ideas about what I will do at nap time each day or during adult time after 'Tasia goes to bed at night.  I have neglected reading over the last year and a half besides squeezing in my favorite magazines in between teaching myself my lessons for the week for school. Out of all the exciting things I could do with my upcoming free time I have decided that I want to read. Reading was always one of my favorite past times and now I will be in my glory once again.
    I stumbled upon a few suggested readings on another blog site that struck my interest this afternoon. Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Re purposed & Orga​nic Materials by Betz White was the book that struck my interest the most. As I headed to Amazon to check out this new treasure I was greeted with other suggested books.Here is a list of books I have put on my wish list for my pleasure:

Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Re purposed & Orga​nic Materials by Betz White

Mini Farming: Self-Sufficienc​y on 1/4 Acre by Brett L. Markham

At Home in Nature: Modern Homesteading and Spiritual Practice in America by Rebecca Kneale Gould

Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Lisa M. Ross

Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture by Shannon Hayes

Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Re purpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures

by Amanda Blake Soule

 

Canning for a New Generation: Bold, Fresh Flavors for the Modern Pantry by Liana Krissoff

     My excitement is growing even now as I read over this spectacular list that I have created. In the past few years my ever changing life has left me feeling empowered yet different. Different from the average American as my interest grow into the natural, the sustainable, and the old fashioned ideas I so much loved as a child. I always blamed my parents for naming me Dawn, siting that as the primary reason I loved nature,earth, and "hippy things" as I called it then. Finding these books makes me anxious to read as I feel now that I can delve into the very heart of my interests that I can expand my knowledge in areas so hushed by main stream ideology. I can truly find my passion for organic whole living in the way that feels right to me.

     Now I know that this is putting a lot of hope in a few random book titles I found, but by reading these titles I hope to better understand my budding ideals for life. Now to just finish up this degree. August 1st is the last day of college and the first day of my reading journey. I look forward to sharing my revelations here on the blog.

Meat Free Mondays

Another Meat Free Monday is upon us, do you kno what meat free dish you are making for dinner?
I have a yummy, frugal and filling recipe for you to try tonight.

Brown Rice and Lentil Bake



         3 cups Veggetable broth

         3/4 cup lentils

         1/2 cup brown rice

         3/4 cup chopped onion

         1 teaspoon italian seasoning

       1/2 garlic clove minced

         1 cup grated cheese

Prep Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

1.) Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

2.) Mix all ingredients except the cheese in a baking dish (I use an 11 x 7).

3.) Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour 10 minutes.

4.) Then remove the foil, add the cheese, and bake for an additional 20 minutes

Try this yummy recipe and tell me what you think.

Toddler Room Makeover

    As every parent knows the transition from crib to toddler bed is a huge step. As us parents begin to wrap our mind around the impending freedom of our little one, our babes are blissfully unaware of the "big deal" the transition is going to be. Having your babe pick out new bedding for their new toddler bed is something of a rite of passage for most families, and this simple gesture can help ease the transition from totally enclosed to wide open spaces in the bed. For somewhat anal parents like myself, changing bedding calls for a mini extreme home makeover. My princess cannot have bedding that doesn't match every other aspect in her room, so the toddler bed transition is a full time project for the next months.
    As I began shopping around for new bedding the actual cost of such tiny bed sets  shocked me. A character screen print and cheap sheets costs upwards of $150, add that to the cost of new decorations and curtains and we are looking at spending a few hundred dollars! This astronomical price tag for less than desirable items left my mind reeling with ideas. Why do we have to spend all this money on ugly things to fit her new toddler day bed (which transitions out of the beautiful cottage chic, white crib she has)? After a few minutes of hard thinking I mastered the idea of spending time to piece together a one of a kind, designer esq bedroom for my princess in a shabby chic french country style tea party theme .
    With the help of a wonderful quilter on Etsy.com ( shop name: Zobabyblankies) I was able to hand select and create a handmade quilt for only $70, I am making her new curtains, a designer lace bed canopy, a matching big girl mobile to hang in the corner, throw pillows,a lamp shade cover, and even a table cloth for her little table all which costed less than $40, and I was lucky enough to find a beautiful vintage replica porcelin door knob, and a decorative teapot for less than $10. An entire room makeover for  $120 that blows the top off of any other pre-themed over priced store bought bed set.
    Being a parent that is trying to get back to the simple things has opened my eyes to what a little imagination and time can do. A few years ago I would have found a way to cough up the few hundred dollars it would take to settle for a cookie cutter room, but now as my thinking process converts to a simpler way of life I am pleasantly surprised with  the innovation and love this room will show. In a month or so after the room is put together I will take pics and post here for inspiration.

What ways have you saved money and out shined at the same time in your home? Tell me your "ta-da" moments, I love to hear from you.

Frozen Herb Cubes

My friend Becky had a really cool link shared on Facebook this morning. The link is about freezing extra fresh herbs into ice cubes for later use in sauces, soups, etc. Here is the link, I hope you all enjoy it. Try it and tell me what you think!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/suavehouse113/3004783596/

Meat Free Mondays

Although this past week has been super busy due to my winter break from college being over, I have thought of another great meatless dish for tomorrow.

Meatless Pasta and Homemade Garlic Cheese Bread

 There are many ways to make meatless pasta but my hubby likes Spaghetti best. I make a very simple sauce with equal parts tomato sauce and tomato paste, a bit of water to make desired consistency, fresh garlic, basil, thyme, and oregano. Bring to a boil then simmer for 30 minutes or longer. Can also be cooked in a crock pot all day for added warmth and delicious smell to your house. Pair with heart healthy whole wheat spaghetti noodles.

   Homemade Garlic Cheese Bread is easy as well. I use a no knead bread recipe that takes less than 2 hours total time to bake. I found the recipe at http://hillbillyhousewife.com/ After baking and cooling bread cut 1/2 slices and put on baking sheet (I prefer stoneware). Make a mixture of Butter, Grated Parmesan Cheese, and Minced Garlic( I use the garlic press). Spread mixture on one side of bread  slices sprinkle with dried parsley. Bake for 5-10 minutes on 400 degrees until golden and toasted. Remove from oven, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with dried parsley again. Broil until cheese is golden and bubbling.

I hope you join me again for meatless Monday, and please share your meatless meals with me!

Meat Free Mondays

    At least once weekly I find myself making pasta or another dish with cheese or beans and no meat for dinner. While I have to admit it was not in an effort to whole heartedly save the planet, I did have good reason. The reasons I had were: my digestive track needed a break ( meat is not always a wanted guest in my tummy), My daughter isn't a huge meat eater, meals with out meat are way cheaper, and we like cheese and beans they are yummy.
    Recently I have become aware of a movement called Meat Free Mondays, and with reading I have found , "As a result the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has concluded that the livestock sector is ‘one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global." this and many other facts are posted on this amazing webpage hosted by Paul McCartney, http://www.supportmfm.org/index.cfm.
   As an occasional non meat eater, and a woman who has went months with  almost no meat only to return to my carnivoric tendencies, I am moved to join Meat Free Mondays. Every Monday I will post a Meat Free meal idea that is wholesome and cheap and I hope that you too decide to make a good choice and have meat free mondays for your health, for the environment, and because cheese and beans are yummy!

Meat Free Dinner Idea

Buckwheat Pancakes, Black eye peas, Tomato Slices, and Cottage Cheese

If you don't have much experience with Buck wheat pancakes I must explain that they are not sweet and have a flavor of a cross between a tortilla and an Indian chipati. You can make these pancakes with out eggs by adding a bit of extra liquid. I prefer them in a double silver dollar size. Black eye peas are delicious with onion and jalapeno, or with onion, garlic, salt, red and black pepper, oregano, thyme, and hot sauce.

I hope you decide to join me with Meat Free Mondays and if you try this meal idea please let me know what you think.