No Impact Week Thoughts

Okay, so No Impact week was a few weeks ago and I have been largely quiet. It seems to me that I should probably write something about my lessons learned. I mean, what is the point of participating if there is no intention of learning anything? Primarily, the purpose of activities like No Impact Week are to try something new,  start conversations about sustainability, resilience, consumerism, the environment etc. and to learn something about one's self. I asked myself some questions that week:

1. What are the things I will have trouble giving up?
2. What am I willing to give up? 
3. What are the things I really do need?
4. What is the most challenging carbon-intensive activity I have to deal with? 
5. Is it all about giving something up or redefining what I want? 

Sometimes I ask myself, do I really even want things I buy or use. More often then not, the answer is no. For example, my friend is going for a coffee at break during class and asks if I want to go to, I say sure, but low and behold, I forgot my cup. Do I....

• grab a coffee anyway; it is only one more paper cup - no biggie right?
• grab a coffee anyway but buy another reusable cup to put it in at the same time (most coffee houses except Tim Hortons, this seems to be standard - reusable cups everywhere), I mean, I probably needed an extra cup or two right?
• decline and spend my break going over my notes in Quantitative Techniques?
• go along for the walk, but not buying coffee, using the time to enjoy conversation with my friend?

I have done all of these. And that might be okay too. Most of the time, I tote my cup along, but every once in awhile, I forget. Before anyone gets all radical on me spouting the evils of the coffee industry, carbon foot print and other such garblings. I know. I know too well. Coffee is one of my "vices". I admit it; I love coffee. 

If there is one thing I have learned during No Impact Week, and perhaps  well before it is that changing isn't easy. So many blogs, articles, news stories and conversation, are oriented around how easy reducing your impact is. 

• It is so easy to recycle that can.
• It is so easy to tote a reusable cup. 
• It is so easy to walk to the store.
• It is so easy to make homemade pizza.
• It is so easy to turn down the heat, turn off the lights, not run the water....

It is easy, making small changes. And even some of the big changes. However, not all changes are easy. Remembering isn't always easy.  I remember when we were starting to carry reusable shopping bags - we often forgot and had a scenario like the above. Now we have a better system and have made it a permanent change. If we forget to bring a bag, we usually buy less, or use a box from the store or some other solution.

Sometimes we might need to take stock of the changes we have made and celebrate them. Sometimes they were hard.  If you do get around to watching No Impact Man, think about how the changes you have made are doing good. Some have been hard. Some, like carrying a reusable cup, may not have global implications (water bottles are even better see OceanGybe) but small changes are likely the ones that stick and collectively they will make a big difference. 

So many of the small changes we have been making have been poo-pooed as minute, ineffectual, insignificant.   Such as Earth Hour. No one thinks that turning off a few lights for an hour is going to change anything through the reduced consumption - it is more about the collective action of all of us participating around the world, making a statement together that we are willing to make some changes and the conversations we have with our friends during Earth Hour.  Many people have been organizing events and parties to get friends and family together over Earth Hour to use the time to have fun and learn to enjoy what a media-free, electricity-free evening offers all of us in turn of our quality of life. 

Yes, our quality of life. So much we talk about this and what we mean is "we get to have stuff" - that is not the meaning of quality of life. Quality of life is the ability to feed, clothe and shelter yourself and family and have some leisure time to enjoy the richness of experience life has to offer. Quality of life might be seen in community volunteers, ability to go for a walk in a park or read a good book. 

Quality of life does not mean spending four hours a day on the 401 hwy commuting to work so that you can have that big screen tv or second SUV. It is not putting your kids in extra activities to avoid actually interacting with them. It is not eating fast food, golfing everyday or wearing Prada. 

One can have a high quality of life without raping the environment, or engaging in excessive consumerism. 

So, No Impact Week I also spent a lot of time thinking about quality of life. Isn't that what we are all after?  My two biggest self reflections for No Impact Week were about how to celebrate our successes and define what we really believe is our quality of life. If it isn't important to me - it can go. Cut it loose. 

Eggs Update

Our four hens have now laid 702 eggs since they started laying, which was the end of August. That was 32 weeks ago! They reached full production in mid September, about 29 weeks ago.

They are into their high season again and are laying at full capacity -  more than they were a few weeks ago in the coldest part of winter. By the way, they laid eggs all through the winter and there was never a day with no eggs - usually there were at least two - so pay no attention to those who would tell you that they don't lay in the winter! These ladies have done really well and we have enjoyed having them!

Pizza Day

Pizza Day is a great day. We don't reserve pizza for Saturday night.

Hey, dinner was ready by 7pm; it's all good.

Make it at home - Doughnuts

Who knew? Doughnuts, like bread, are dead easy to make.  It can  be done using a breadmaker or traditional kneading/rising method.

The hardest part about making doughnuts, is finding non-GMO frying oil. Let me know if you have found a way to access gallons upon gallons of organic canola oil. Don't worry, we aren't crazy; we don't usually deep fry our foods, but for a special treat and for our apple fritter "business," c'est bien.

Okay, I know the recipes I put up on here are mainly treats.  Coincidence? I think not. I love treats. I admit to having a sweet tooth (and a cheese tooth!). I like making treats for my family as well as the healthy stuff. I think my reasoning for making treats at home is that treats should be, well, a treat. We shouldn't eat them everyday, and unfortunately these days, we do (as a society, hello, I don't mean we ALL do!). Treat foods, such as French fries, burgers, candy, chocolate, pastries and of course, doughnuts, are eaten daily. No wonder we are getting fat as a nation.  Many writers and cooks I have been following over the years are making a move out of mainstream foods altogether, including things like doughnuts. I am not prepared to eat only seaweed and sprouts - when we do that aren't we bound to fail?

Lovely Doughnut and "Hole"

There are plenty of recipes online, such as one at Allrecipes.com Crispy and Creamy (which looks amazing), but here is one I used adapted from Women's Home Companion Cook Book, 1944. I have separated the directions into two methods - proceed as you will. I admit to adapting this for my breadmaker. I have nasty carpal tunnel in my wrist and I have to watch how much kneading I do. The original recipe calls for a yeast cake and had subsequent activation directions. Since I just threw the ingredients into my breadmaker, I am ASSUMING that you could just adapt the same way for instant yeast without a breadmaker. I didn't test this, so if you are an experienced traditional bread baker and it doesn't make sense to you - by all means, adapt for your needs! Please let me know if I have made an error.

RAISED DOUGHNUTS

Traditional Method
2 1/4 tsp/1 pkg yeast
1/4 c lukewarm water
3/4 c scalded milk. cooled to lukewarm
4 c flour, sifted
3/4 c sugar (any type may be used including white, organic cane, maple sugar etc.)
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 c melted shortening (of our choice - unsalted butter may be used)
1/4 tsp, ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt

Start yeast in water and milk. stir in eggs and shortening. Combine flour, sugar, salt and nutmeg and add to liquid.  Beat 10-15 mins by hand or 4-5 mins with electric mixer. Cover, set in warm place and let rise 1 hour or until doubled.

See combined directions for part two.

Breadmaker Method
3/4 c milk (scalded and cooled)
1/2 melted shortening (of our choice - unsalted butter may be used)
1/4 c water
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 tsp salt
4 c flour
3/4 c sugar (any type may be used including white, organic cane, maple sugar etc.)
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
2 1/4 tsp (or one package)  instant yeast

Scald milk (may heat in microwave for two minutes) and add the shortening to melt. Add water, cool to lukewarm.  Add ingredients in order your breadmaker recommends. Set to dough setting.  Proceed as for the combined instructions.

Combined instructions / part two
Turn dough onto floured board. Roll out to 1 inch thickness and cut out with doughnut cutter (or in my case a combination biscuit cutter and  apple corer!).   Set on floured board in warm place until double in size.

Heat frying oil  to 365-375F in deep pot (about two inches is sufficient) or use standard deep fryer.  Drop doughnuts in hot oil and cook until golden, about 2-3 minutes, turning halfway. Drain on paper towels or rack. Dust with sugar or glaze of your choice.

Doughnut Glaze

• 1/3 c butter
• 2 c powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 4 tbsp hot water or as needed

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in hot water one tablespoon at a time until the icing is somewhat thin, but not watery. Dip warm doughnuts into glaze and set on rack to dry.

Twitter temporarily down...

It seems that Twitter was temporarily in overload as the news of the vote of non-confidence in parliament today.

For a few minutes, Twitter was down - probably in response to so many people tweeting on  the vote and the impending upcoming election.

No Impact Week - Progress Report

Okay, I cheated.

Everything has been going well (except that my daughter told me this morning that she can't wait for Sunday - I ask why and she told me that "veggie week will be over"  - what do you say to that!?). The problem was I felt guilty about two things yesterday.

First, I had to take a 6 hour drive yesterday to London and back for a school activity. There wasn't much I could do about this, but I look forward to the time when I won't have to do these sorts of things (although I had a great day!)

Second, I had take-out Chinese. I know, my bad. It wasn't my idea. We decided to take advantage of the fact that we were in Kitchener on the way home last night to drop in on my daughter and her growing family. Next thing we knew we were invited to share their dinner of Chinese take-out. I could have said no thank you and left, but since it was dinner time and we wanted to continue with our visit, we partook.

So, we lapsed. What will I do to make amends?

No Impact Week

This week is No Impact Week at a few universities. I took the liberty of signing myself and family up. Aren't  I considerate?

No, I did not ask them what they thought or if they wanted to participate. Like a good "radical," I simply told them we were participating.

In truth, I realise I am hardly radical. I am not too far from mainstream really. That is the sad part. I am striving to be a better consumer by NOT consuming.

We kicked things off by watching the documentary "No Impact Man" on Netflix.

Curiously, there are a lot of documentaries on Netflix, and despite what some people have heard, a lot of great shows and movies. Admittedly, some of them are already available online, but if you are watching on TV with a WII or other device, Netflix does make it easier. But, forgive me as I digress.

Our challenges this week for our family are:

• No meat
• Reduce dairy
• No convenience or processed foods (not a usual behaviour anyway for us)
• Don't buy anything new
• Turn off electronics through power bars at night
• Have a fun evening by candle light during "earth hour" by making it three hours

Things we can't change this week:

• Travel by car - I have to drive several long trips this week due to school, volunteer and professional activities
• Alternative family activities - because of above, I will be absent several evenings this week, but the weekend is still available!

I know really in most ways we are pretty mainstream, but here is a list of some things we have already undertaken on a more permanent basis:

• Litterless lunches (doing since 1992!)
• Three R's in order - Reduce first, then reuse... lot's of people brag about their amazing recycling, but when you look in their bin you can see they buy a LOT of packaged stuff. Would have been better to not buy that stuff at all!
• Buying used items at thrift stores over new when possible
• Composting -backyard and municipal depending on our volume
• Making purchasing choices based on reducing packaging (buying in bulk, buying from certain companies, making yogurt ourselves etc.)
• Canning our own food - while not as efficient as a factory, it allows us to reuse packaging (jars) and be more food concious (we would never waste what we put our hard work into)
• Cooking! (rather than fast food and eating out)
• Eating "whole foods" not processed
• Backyard vegetable garden
• Not cutting our grass often - using an electric mower over gas (push would be better!)
• Rain water collection for gardens
• Making handmade gifts for Christmas and Birthdays
• Buying from a CSA for meat and veg (when we can afford to)
• Buying Local food / Shopping at a local food store and the farmers' market
• Eating seasonally for most food products- never buying an imported food if a local one is available
• Environmentally safe cleaning products (vinegar, water, natural soap, baking soda, some natural purchased laundry products)
• Carrying reusable cups for hot and cold drinks on the road
• Backyard chickens! (reminds about the food system, helps us with a holistic garden system, reduces our waste - we feed it to the hens, each egg is precious!)

I don't think this is anywhere near an exhaustive list. And, though it is a good start - there are a lot of other things we could do. Especially in terms of electricity. We haven't made the move to become vegetarian either, however we don't eat a lot of meat and what we do eat is mostly local and pastured.  I am not ready to move into vegetarianism yet, but who knows...it might be next?