I am always learning about fabulous blogs and great information from our homeschool group. Here is a great blog about the toys from China. A recent PBS : Now show stirred a fury of posts at our group by mothers that are replacing toys. I know I mentioned this on my other blog around Christmas; I have thrown out (or recycled) perfectly good toys. I don't want to give them to anyone else, I don't want any kid playing with them. Even those not tainted with lead paint. We use glass carafes in the fridge to replace the plastic containers our drinks come in, and for water. It has taken time, but we have eliminated most plastics. With the links from this great blog (read the letter quoted at the bottom/ very informative) I should be able to replace all the plastic we have left! This is not the only great post, I enjoyed the entire blog! Lots of great ideas. I added this to the blog list on both blogs. Also, here is a great video that the same homeschool mom found. www.thestoryofstuff.com

The story of stuff video...

Had to post this on both blogs. It is an absolute must see. And, this goes back a few posts.. ... to how I feel about consumerism. I really understand now why none of the mainstream candidates will ever come out and tell Americans what the real problems and solutions are. I know now why I should vote for Nader. Now I completely get the numb, blind messages we hear from mainstream sources and even the government. What crap! And to think that I could be completely unaware right now of why I am working and what my money is really doing!! But, there is hope. If I don't buy, and others don't, they will have to produce less of the crap. Maybe the trend will catch on.

Also, when you really examine the consumerism/ materialism for what it is, who would willingly participate in that system. Not I.

the reason for this blog

I created this blog to share with friends and family the things I have learned about eating. And, as with any big gathering, Easter was another day spent repeating over and over what I did to lose weight. In one year I lost 65 lbs by simply changing what I ate. I didn't start any exercise routine (although I should and plan to), I just started reading labels. I really feel very foolish for not doing this before, but like many... I simply never thought I needed to. I lived on autopilot. The FDA protects us so if it is for sale as edible, I can eat it. I have since learned that not all calories are created equal. Now, everytime we meet with friends and family I hear,"so, tell me how you lost all that weight." When I first started removing things from my diet it was hard, but I just refused to continue to eat the bad stuff and kept searching until I found something to eat. Now, I have so much to choose from that I fix 3 or 4 new recipes each week. Some are good, some need work. But, I don't eat hydrogenated oil, or high-fructose corn syrup and we use all whole-grains when we eat grains. That's the basics, that is what I did to lose the weight. Everything else has continued since I lost that weight. It's just that simple, but no one believes me. =)

Here it is!!! Plastic information... And, we love the lectures from the learning company.

This week

I survived Zombie Day! What? Isn't that what it's called when someone rises from the dead? I thought I saw that on CNN. Well, I survived it, and now I know what to do next year!!! A dear cousin, my husband's, said,"I am sure as you build new memories it will get easier." Duh!!! It will!! I finally have hope that I will not forever resent Easter! Funny that someone had to say that to me in a non-blaming way for me to hear it. (Well, not funny really it's science.. but that's for another blog) I will get the pics up soon, but just sitting here during daylight hours to do this means that the seeds are not getting planted, laundry is in the washer waiting to dry, and the chicken in the oven for lunch may be ready,too. Was that even a sentence? I guess I'll just give the update and go... Trevor can tell when he has to potty now, so I have a few fewer messes to clean each day. Trent is learning spanish at work, so that is helping us learn it at home. And, I love JAMIE AT HOME on the Food Network; we tried his spicy pepper goulash, but left out some spice and used more variety in the veggies. I have already made it twice and we all loved it. The pork made great sandwiches later. Here is the link to all his recipes.... We also made his butternut squash muffins, but substituted quinoa flour. And a few other recipes that i don't have time to mention. Well, jellybean just climbed into my lap. It must be time to get back to work.... 80%