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%

From The Onion, here is some terrifying information

Report: 32% Of Prayers Deflected Off Passing Satellites

HOUSTON—According to an official NASA report released Saturday, nearly 32 percent of all prayers exiting Earth are deflected off satellites...

Just a thought

I am about to read Collapse, How societies choose to fail or succeed by Jared Diamond. I haven't yet, but I read an article about the problems that global warming is expected to cause for the transportation systems and industries. I am concerned because our society now is global. Things that one country does can cause problems for all of us. There are many societies in earth's history that have collapsed because of their impact on the environment, but, they had somewhere else to go. We have a huge responsibility as a global society. If our society collapses, for any reason, where will we go.

just a little tid bit

I haven't had much time for posting, that is true. But, also, I haven't felt like posting. Sure, great things are still happening here. How can I stop them =) But, the anniversary of Ethan's death (3/3) and the upcoming Easter for some reason just knock me out every year. I know it has only been 5 years. And, as far as being unable to function, I don't have time for that. But, I can tell I lost a little bounce and drive this month. I guess this year should serve as a warning for next year, even if I have managed to repair much of the "damage" that defined my life for so long; I can not bring Ethan back and that will cause me sadness forever. It is just sad and will always be. I guess there is just nothing else I can say about it. But, Easter (that now means nothing more to me than the stupid holiday that Ethan didn't make it to) will pass and I will feel "ok" for another year. Come on Easter Bunny, lay those damn eggs.

"Safety"

I was recently digging for safer products on the EWG's cosmetic database and noticed that they have changed some information. And, being naturally curious (yes, I walk the fine line between scientific thought and the fate of the cat daily)I read more about how they determine the ranking of the products. Here is the link to the information; . I knew that there were untested products and I knew that some products have been shown to be harmful. But, for some reason I never thought about the products that are listed as "safe" simply because the results of their testing aren't made public. I clicked through several lists on the database and found that in many cases there is a slight increase in uncertainty with a drop in hazard. That doesn't discount the urge to avoid the higher hazard items; after all those ingredients are definitely harmful. But, it does change the way I will find new products. I want as good a balance between hazard and uncertainty as I can find. I am glad that for the most part I just don't use things. I hardly use hair styling products, lotions, or makeup. I will just continue to research until I restock the few supplies I do use with "safer" alternatives.