Our dog, Carson, left about 3 weeks ago. He was only in our home for about 8 months but provided me with a number of opportunities to learn and grow. The day he left was very difficult for both Andy and myself. Andy might have shed a few tears (I'm not telling). I mentioned to him that in the 6.5 years we have known each other, that was perhaps only the second time I had seen that happen. His answer was something to the extent of, "I don't let emotions rule my life. I use rational thought." In the past, he has told me that I viewed self-sufficiency as a virtue, like that was a bad thing.
Using rational thought and self-sufficiency are wonderful virtues in their place. But are they always positive or can these virtues can be a negative in our lives? And, just when, if ever, do they become a negative.
It was a rough week after Carson left. That Wednesday, I went to group meditation at my church and decided to try working on this. Later I almost wished I had stuck with, "Breathing in, breathing out," rather than try to handle such a sensitive subject. As I was working on this, I had a light-bulb moment.
For me, being self-sufficient is a virtue and I'm okay with that. In fact, I value that about myself. It had become a negative for me when somewhere along the line, my self-worth got involved. A situation, such as Carson, caused me additional pain because I felt like such a failure for not being able to fix it...by myself or with outside help.
What a light-bulb! I am still trying to figure out how I can put this into useful practice in my life. As with many things, we often learn to recognize these traits or habits after we perform them. Being able to recognize this is a step in the right direction.
Perhaps in time, I will be able to ask myself, "Self, is your worth wrapped up in being able to perform this task? Is that good or bad?" Until then, I just hope to be able to say, "Oh, that's what happened" and move on without beating myself up over a perceived failure.
So this is my story about self-worth. I hope your self-worth is great. But if it's not, maybe you have something that might be getting in the way. Maybe it's not avoidance of emotion or the need to be self-sufficient. Do you know what's holding you back? Is there something you could lovingly ponder within yourself? How can you help yourself? Will it provide you with the opportunity to learn and grow? You are the only one who truly knows where you are.
April 30, 2008
March 10, 2008
Marion County Recycling Update
The massive amount of waste our country and world even is a situation that consumes much of my thought process. Both in how I contribute and how I can reduce, reuse and recycle. Remember, those three R's from school. Frankly, I am quite scared about how plastics in particular play into this. For those who want a good read check out "Polymers are Forever" by Alan Weisman from the Orion magazine. The moral of the story is...plastic never actually goes away. It breaks down into increasingly smaller pieces but in the limited human idea of time it never goes away. It is even killing the bottom of the food chain. Guess what happens when the bottom of the food chain dies out? Let's just say it's not too pretty for those of us a little higher up! Okay, now you have a background on why extreme plastic consumption concerns me (don't get me wrong, it's a useful product in the right situation).
Having lived in Corvallis I am very familiar with First Alternative's wonderful recycling program that supplements the curbside program. I have taken things like Styrofoam and aseptic containers there for years. Since I still go to Corvallis about once a month, I usually save these containers and take them down with me. Well, last week I noticed a sign stating that Allied Waste (the Corvallis office) was taking aseptic containers curbside. Oh...I thought to myself. This will require some looking into! After some dialog with First Alternative, I contacted my local Allied Waste. This is where I have to say, if all you get out of this discussion is a knowledge of what an aseptic container is then I will be happy. The woman on the other end of the line said, "Septic containers? No those are not recyclable!" I then explained what aseptic was. She referred me to the Mid-Valley Recycling and Garbage Haulers (or something like that). Basically, the people who run mrtrashrecycles.com and who tell our garbage haulers what can or cannot be recycled. There I was referred to Mary (their president or head person, nice, has been with the organization since 1986). Anyways, Mary called me back today and we had an interesting discussion about aseptic containers and their recycling. They do have a program with the local schools for recycling these containers. They do not accept them curbside or at the transfer station and Mary did not anticipate this happening anytime soon. Why might that be? Well, aseptic containers are a "bug-a-boo" to recycle. First issue is they must be clean! On a side note, this really goes for all recyclables! The second issue, even if they are clean, is that they are layers of paperboard, plastic and metal. Great for the manufacturer and consumer, not so great for the recycling. According to Mary, only about 15% of the aseptic containers that end up at NW mills (this is how Mary referred to them) are actually recycled. The rest, due to cleanliness issues or just the inherent nature of aseptic containers, is basically sludge that is land-filled. This is disappointing but...maybe we can minimize our usage of these products (maybe you don't use them at all and this is a mote point) so that we are not contributing to our landfills. Now of course the Aseptic Packaging Council (APC) wants us to believe these containers are wonderful and the wave of the future. And, they are wonderful in the right situations. The APC also make the recycling process sound so easy. Just put it in a blender and like magic you have usable paperboard with plastic and metal on the side!
So what are I missing here? On a somewhat lighter note, according to Mary, Marion County leads the state in recycling at 60%. I followed up on this a bit and it looks like closer to 58% with Metro at 56%. What she failed to mention is that the energy facility (burning our garbage) makes Marion's levels higher. If you're really interested the DEQ report is an interesting read.
And in case you were interested,here is APC's list of the cities in Oregon with aseptic recycling programs:
OREGON
City of Eugene
61,444
City of Portland
237,307
City of Troutdale
4,671
Clackamas County Incorporated Cities
66,266
Clackamas County Unincorporated
60,997
Lane County
79,500
Washington County
102,000
Having lived in Corvallis I am very familiar with First Alternative's wonderful recycling program that supplements the curbside program. I have taken things like Styrofoam and aseptic containers there for years. Since I still go to Corvallis about once a month, I usually save these containers and take them down with me. Well, last week I noticed a sign stating that Allied Waste (the Corvallis office) was taking aseptic containers curbside. Oh...I thought to myself. This will require some looking into! After some dialog with First Alternative, I contacted my local Allied Waste. This is where I have to say, if all you get out of this discussion is a knowledge of what an aseptic container is then I will be happy. The woman on the other end of the line said, "Septic containers? No those are not recyclable!" I then explained what aseptic was. She referred me to the Mid-Valley Recycling and Garbage Haulers (or something like that). Basically, the people who run mrtrashrecycles.com and who tell our garbage haulers what can or cannot be recycled. There I was referred to Mary (their president or head person, nice, has been with the organization since 1986). Anyways, Mary called me back today and we had an interesting discussion about aseptic containers and their recycling. They do have a program with the local schools for recycling these containers. They do not accept them curbside or at the transfer station and Mary did not anticipate this happening anytime soon. Why might that be? Well, aseptic containers are a "bug-a-boo" to recycle. First issue is they must be clean! On a side note, this really goes for all recyclables! The second issue, even if they are clean, is that they are layers of paperboard, plastic and metal. Great for the manufacturer and consumer, not so great for the recycling. According to Mary, only about 15% of the aseptic containers that end up at NW mills (this is how Mary referred to them) are actually recycled. The rest, due to cleanliness issues or just the inherent nature of aseptic containers, is basically sludge that is land-filled. This is disappointing but...maybe we can minimize our usage of these products (maybe you don't use them at all and this is a mote point) so that we are not contributing to our landfills. Now of course the Aseptic Packaging Council (APC) wants us to believe these containers are wonderful and the wave of the future. And, they are wonderful in the right situations. The APC also make the recycling process sound so easy. Just put it in a blender and like magic you have usable paperboard with plastic and metal on the side!
So what are I missing here? On a somewhat lighter note, according to Mary, Marion County leads the state in recycling at 60%. I followed up on this a bit and it looks like closer to 58% with Metro at 56%. What she failed to mention is that the energy facility (burning our garbage) makes Marion's levels higher. If you're really interested the DEQ report is an interesting read.
And in case you were interested,here is APC's list of the cities in Oregon with aseptic recycling programs:
OREGON
City of Eugene
61,444
City of Portland
237,307
City of Troutdale
4,671
Clackamas County Incorporated Cities
66,266
Clackamas County Unincorporated
60,997
Lane County
79,500
Washington County
102,000
March 2, 2008
Why do we eat it with our other food?
Last week we discussed mayacoba beans and eating them with our other food. This week I would like to take you on a trip down my Fiber One bar list of ingredients - straight to confectioner's glaze or even refined lac. Ahhh, you say, what is this wonderous ingredient. First, know that it is in a number of products, such as Junior Mints, to make the hard outer coating shiny. It is not however, according to this website, what makes M&M's shiny (don't read the link just yet though). You may be more familiar with this ingredient as the hard coating on your furniture. What? Yes, confectioner's glaze is made from shellac the same stuff that can be used for furniture coatings. But before you get too grossed out realize that this process is similar to a bee making honey. According to woodworking.com, "Shellac, like silk, honey, and beeswax, is made by bugs, not of bugs. Laccifer lacca, a small insect about the size and color of an apple seed, swarms on certain trees in India and Thailand. Like most bugs, it eats during its larval stage, then settles down and creates a sort of cocoon in which to mature. In this case, the bugs create a huge, hard, waterproof, communal protective shell on the branches of the trees they live on. Soon, the adult males emerge from the shell and fly away. The females do not fly -- they attach permanently to the tree and stay there."
So, perhaps not something we had thought of but not so terrible. And just in case it wasn't already enough of a Saturday Night Live skit, Fiber One includes carnuba wax. We can spiff up our car, seal our furniture and have a tasty (if not exactly healthy) afternoon snack at work. Ummm, why do we eat it with our other food?
So, perhaps not something we had thought of but not so terrible. And just in case it wasn't already enough of a Saturday Night Live skit, Fiber One includes carnuba wax. We can spiff up our car, seal our furniture and have a tasty (if not exactly healthy) afternoon snack at work. Ummm, why do we eat it with our other food?
February 24, 2008
We eat it with our other food!
Andy works with a lot of Hispanic men. Having said that, based on the meals he takes to work, he has been asked repeatedly if I am Mexican. I didn't think I cooked all that different from the average American but these guys eat out of vending machines and the idea of a white American woman cooking tortillas from scratch just seems to amaze them. Or, they think he's married to a loca woman. Okay, now that you have a little history.
We were at Winco yesterday. I have decided that for our health - both of our bodies and our pocketbook - that we are going to do a better job of cooking our beans from scratch, being the bulk bin fanatic that I am. I thought I just wanted pinto, kidney and black beans. Little did I know there was such a wide variety actually available at Winco. So I get the three previously mentioned varieties and decide which of the others I "need." One is the mayacoba bean. An unassuming little yellow bean. As I'm staring at it, a Hispanic man is loading up his bag. I ask him, "What do you do with it?" He looks at me for a moment. Mind you I am the ONLY white woman in the bulk bean section. After deciding I'm perhaps just a little touched, he says, "We eat it with our other food." Well, why didn't I think of that? "We eat it with our other food." Of course, he does. Just like what Andy would probably tell someone if they asked him what he does with a potato, or rice or pasta. We eat it with our other food!
So, tonight Andy and I are eating it with our other food - in a 3 Bean and Pork Slow Cooker Chili (or actually I guess I should say 4 bean).
4 Bean and Pork Slow Cooker Chili
1/2 c. each dried pinto, black, kidney, mayacoba beans
1 T chili powder
1/2 tsp. each fresh cracked pepper and salt
2 lbs lean pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 c. carrots chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 oz. can tomato paste
1 c. canned tomato puree (I pureed frozen roasted tomatoes)
30 oz (3 cans) RO-TEL diced tomatoes with lime juice and cilantro
1 small jalapeno, seed and diced (used plastic bags as gloves!)
1 tsp dried organo, crushed
1. Soak beans overnight covered in water. Drain next morning. Put in pot and cover with water. Bring to a bubble with lid slightly open. Cook until desired doneness. Maybe an hour or so.
2. Mix everything together in crockpot. Cook on high 6-8 hrs.
3. Top with shredded cheese, fresh tomato, ranch dressing, basically whatever you have or want!
I'm pretty happy with the results. I adapted this recipe from one on the WW website. Never have tried the Ro-Tel products and like that addition. I also think the dried beans are better than the canned but would normally just make a chili with canned. It's rich and wonderful and very cheap. All very good things. It was only when I sat down to write this post that I realized there was such a battle going on over the mayacoba bean. Check it out if you have time!
We were at Winco yesterday. I have decided that for our health - both of our bodies and our pocketbook - that we are going to do a better job of cooking our beans from scratch, being the bulk bin fanatic that I am. I thought I just wanted pinto, kidney and black beans. Little did I know there was such a wide variety actually available at Winco. So I get the three previously mentioned varieties and decide which of the others I "need." One is the mayacoba bean. An unassuming little yellow bean. As I'm staring at it, a Hispanic man is loading up his bag. I ask him, "What do you do with it?" He looks at me for a moment. Mind you I am the ONLY white woman in the bulk bean section. After deciding I'm perhaps just a little touched, he says, "We eat it with our other food." Well, why didn't I think of that? "We eat it with our other food." Of course, he does. Just like what Andy would probably tell someone if they asked him what he does with a potato, or rice or pasta. We eat it with our other food!
So, tonight Andy and I are eating it with our other food - in a 3 Bean and Pork Slow Cooker Chili (or actually I guess I should say 4 bean).
4 Bean and Pork Slow Cooker Chili
1/2 c. each dried pinto, black, kidney, mayacoba beans
1 T chili powder
1/2 tsp. each fresh cracked pepper and salt
2 lbs lean pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 c. carrots chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 oz. can tomato paste
1 c. canned tomato puree (I pureed frozen roasted tomatoes)
30 oz (3 cans) RO-TEL diced tomatoes with lime juice and cilantro
1 small jalapeno, seed and diced (used plastic bags as gloves!)
1 tsp dried organo, crushed
1. Soak beans overnight covered in water. Drain next morning. Put in pot and cover with water. Bring to a bubble with lid slightly open. Cook until desired doneness. Maybe an hour or so.
2. Mix everything together in crockpot. Cook on high 6-8 hrs.
3. Top with shredded cheese, fresh tomato, ranch dressing, basically whatever you have or want!
I'm pretty happy with the results. I adapted this recipe from one on the WW website. Never have tried the Ro-Tel products and like that addition. I also think the dried beans are better than the canned but would normally just make a chili with canned. It's rich and wonderful and very cheap. All very good things. It was only when I sat down to write this post that I realized there was such a battle going on over the mayacoba bean. Check it out if you have time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)