Gorgeously Green Update

I thought I'd update you on the Gorgeously Green 30 Day Pledge that I took. The pledge is in green and my results in black.

1. I commit to cutting my beef consumption down by 25-50%. I will prepare at least three meat-free meals a week. Meat production has a very heavy eco-impact.
I consciously tried to cut back on the meat that I ate. I made Tomato Pie with some fresh, local tomatoes that I bought at Eastern Market, which turned into a few meat-free meals for me. I also made some delicious veggie pasta, had some soup and salad nights, and veggie pizza.

2. I commit to buying organic, seasonal, and locally produced food whenever possible. I vote with my dollars and want to support sustainable producers.
I bought seasonal and local from Easter Market early in the process. I have to work on the organic part of this one. This girl has a budget!

3. I commit to cooking at least three meals a week at home so that I can save money, my health and the planet.
I do this anyway so this was easy!

4. I commit to reducing my food waste by 50 percent by sticking to my eating plan and my shopping list and by using my leftovers.

I tried to use up all of my leftovers...not easy for me as I always make too much food!

5. I commit to growing something edible (even an herb will do!)
I had a few veggies left from my summer garden which made a yummy salad!





6. I commit to recycling my paper, plastic, glass, and cans, and to buying recycled paper products (paper towels, napkins, and toilet paper) to preserve more trees.
I have recycled everything I could, including those annoying wire hangers from the Dry Cleaners. Most dry cleaners will take the hangers back and reuse them! I do need to work on buying recycled paper products.



PS....In an organizing frenzy a few weeks ago, I went through a huge box of photos and put them in albums. (My roomies had TONS of laughs at my expense while looking at some of my school pictures.) But, this one caught my eye, as I think it proves I've always been a treehugger at heart! (I'm the blonde.)

Eastern Market

Eastern Market is one of the most charming treasures in DC. There are many local artists and crafty types, as well as flowers and fresh food. It's become a favorite place for family members to visit when they're here. If I lived closer, I would make it a much more regular part of my routine.

The historical building that housed part of the meat and food vendors was damaged in a fire a few years ago. The reconstruction is finally done and it looks great. I didn't get any photos of the inside part, so you'll just have to go see for yourself!

I bought some delicious, fresh peaches, nectarines and blueberries. I also couldn't resist buying some small lavender plants for my room which smells oh so good!

Some colorful sights from Eastern Market last weekend....

If you've never been, get yourself there while the weather is nice! If you don't live here, make this a stop on your next visit to DC.

My First Garden

I planted my first vegetable garden! Okay, it's small, so more like a mini-vegetable garden. But it's just me, so I don't need much.

My garden idea started with my absolute love of tomatoes. One of my favorite things in the world are my grandfather's fresh tomatoes. There's something about the ones from his garden that taste so much better than any other tomatoes I've ever had. Now that I'm nurturing my own little tomato plants, I'm going to have to sit down with Papa and get the low down on his gardening secrets.

Originally, I thought I could handle a few tomatoes in containers. As things usually go, when I talked to my mom about this, she had a few other suggestions. And then I got a package in the mail from her that included some other vegetable seeds. (This is because I told her that I had no idea where a seed store would be in this yankeefied place.)

We have a space beside our house where tulips and daffodils bloom each spring. But nothing grows here in the summer, so I thought- why not?

I bought 3 tomato plants, 2 sweet red pepper plants, 2 cucumber plants, a variety of herbs. I planted all of this along with the okra seeds my mom sent me. I have no idea how this will turn out and am slightly concerned with how much sun this space really gets. But here's to hoping!

The basil plant grew FAST!

So here's the progression of my beloved tomato plants. I didn't understand the concept of snapping off the "suckers" until my plant turned into an unruly bush. I think I got them under control though.

I'm patiently waiting for the day I can walk outside, pick a ripe tomato off the vine, and indulge in one of God's great creations- the tomato sandwich.

You Can Do It!

A few days ago, I picked up a book called Skinny Bitch on a whim. It was a quick and enjoyable read and I do recommend it. The book gave a very blunt and comical explanation of the bad food we eat and how to change the habits that make us fat. It definitely opened my eyes to some of the horrible treatment of the animals that we eat and how truly oblivious we are of this process, and is motivating me to pay more attention to ingredients in the food I eat.

The book basically spells out the reasons to become a vegan and thus you'll be healthier and skinny. We would all LOVE to be skinny, healthy, and eat strictly good-for-you food. But in reality, normal humans have cravings, limited time to prepare perfectly healthy meals, and limited resources to afford the "organic" life.

{stepping on soap box}

Working in the public health field, it is hard to ignore the statistics of Americans unhealthy lifestyle and the consequences this has on our health. So here's a challenge to us all to start small and change just one unhealthy habit at a time. We can all do something.

Get inspired by watching the Olympians fit bods! While the weather is nice, get outside and play! Go for a walk or swim. Skip dessert this weekend. Go to your local farmers market and buy some fresh local food. We all make time to do what's important to us, and your health should be one of THE most important things!

I'm going to take my own advice this weekend and take use the gym membership I'm paying for, as well as take a trip to Eastern Market to buy some fresh food while the good stuff is in season! What are you going to do?

Happy Weekend!