Still here...

It was my birthday this weekend, and I unintentionally unplugged. But it's been good...A yummy dinner at a local restaurant. Homemade cookies (no cake for me, thank you!) Binge reading an entire novel in one day. And this:

I'll be back to blogging soon!

I'm sick...Screw the planet!

Anyone else feel this way?

Thankfully none of us have gotten the flu yet. But I've had a cold for four weeks and it sucks.

Today I forgot to eat breakfast (you can tell I'm sick - when have I ever forgotten breakfast?). I didn't remember until we were already out and about, and I just felt like, "Screw the planet. I'm going to Starbucks."

Here was my order, in all it's lovely overpriced trash-filled glory:

I think we all have days like this.

Noteworthy Green: Kind Giving, Dinner Co-ops, Meatless Mondays, and More...

Two posts at The Green Phone Booth this week...

Giveaway: No Impact Man

I was the super happy winner of Fake Plastic Fish's No Impact Man giveaway a couple months ago. I've now finished the book (and loved it!) and am ready to pass it on to someone else! To be entered to win my gently used copy of this book, simply leave a comment on this post. I'll announce the randomly selected winner next Wednesday.

Read more...

and A Season of Kind Giving

Around this time last year, I wrote a post on my personal blog called "Thank You, Dear Stranger" about gratitude. I explained that my husband and I were trying to teach our sons that gratitude is meaningless without action. It's useless to feel grateful for someone if you don't tell them, or even better, show them. I concluded: "Wouldn't it be wonderful if the holiday of Thanksgiving were accompanied by a season of kind-giving?"

Well, this year, I've decided to do just that. In the next couple of weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, my family will be making a gratitude tree:

Read more...

And elsewhere on the Internet...

:: One Green Generation describes how and when to plant garlic.

:: Amy at the Simple-Green-Frugal Co-op explains the benefits of starting a dinner co-op.

:: The Atlantic discusses the meat industry's reaction to Baltimore school's Meatless Mondays program.

I'm now using Twitter to keep track of my noteworthy green reads. If you'd like instant knowledge of what I find interesting, you can find me on Twitter as consciousshoppr.

• Looking for a way to get involved? Take a stand on Coal River Mountain.
  

• Looking for something to do? Check out my More (Fall) Fun, Less Stuff event guide!

To My Green Triangle Readers

I would like to start a group blog focused on sustainability in the Triangle, and I'm looking for other writers who might be interested in joining. The blog would cover sustainability issues in the whole Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, Garner, Fuquay, Knightdale, Carrboro, Pittsboro, etc. if I'm leaving anyone out). I'm also hoping to put together a group that spans the green spectrum and with interests in a variety of environmentally-related topics, such as the following to name a few:

• transportation
• water issues
• supporting local agriculture
• supporting local restaurants and shops
• energy efficient building
• gardening (backyard and community)
  
• healthy and seasonal cooking
  
• enjoying nature
• environmental organizations
• recycling
• raising eco-friendly kids
  

Basically the kinds of topics I cover on this blog but with a local focus. I've tried to write several posts a month focused on Raleigh, but in my experience, group blogs are a) more fun to write for, b) easier to write for and c) more popular than individual blogs. Plus, I'd like to create a central place on the web where people in the Triangle can find information about going green and getting involved in making the Triangle a more eco-friendly place to live.

All blogging experience levels are welcome.

(And I really want to hear from all you Carrboro and Chapel Hill residents! You need to share your wisdom with those of us in Durham and Raleigh!)

If you're interested in this project, you can email me at consciousshopperblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

Seasonal Recipes for Fall

On a whim one day, I decided to join a winter CSA with Coon Rock Farm, a sustainable farm in my area. I had heard a lot of good things about this farm (one person called it the Polyface Farms of North Carolina), and since there are zero organics available at my farmer's market, I decided to give it a try over the winter.

So I thought that instead of my usual way of doing these seasonal recipes, I'd just show you what I got in my CSA box and tell you how we used it (or plan to use it).

What's in season in October/November?

To find out what's in season in your area, you can google "produce availability" and the name of your state, or choose your state on PickYourOwn.org. The latter has to be the worst designed and yet most valuable website I've seen. Anything you want to know about pick-your-own farms and preserving foods can be found there.

If you live in North Carolina, you will likely see the following fruits and vegetables at the farmer's market this month: apples, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, leafy greens, peanuts, pecans, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, turnips, and winter squash.

In My CSA Box

Week 1: (Sorry no picture of this week's offerings)

• We ate the turnip greens in an omelet. We eat omelets with toast almost every week.

• The arugula and d'avignon radishes went into a salad as a side dish for pizza. Pizza is another weekly menu item.

• I made pesto with the basil with a side dish of the aforementioned salad.

• We also got an acorn squash, which I plan to use in these acorn squash quesadillas from the Smitten Kitchen.
  
  

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Week 2:

• I used half of the baby red russian kale and purple mizuna in a stir fry.

• The tatsoi (a green similar to spinach) went into omelets.

• We haven't used the Japanese white turnips yet.

• We made a salad with the d'avignon radishes, radish greens, and the other half of the kale and mizuna, which we ate as a side dish with pizza and the following recipe for pumpkin pasta:

Pasta with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce

SERVES 4
COST: $1.05 per serving*

8 oz. penne pasta
4 oz. yogurt cheese (or cream cheese)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup pureed pumpkin
ground nutmeg to taste

• Cook pasta according to package directions.
• Place yogurt cheese, parmesan cheese, butter, and milk in a saucepan. Heat until melted, stirring frequently.
• Add pumpkin. Cook until heated through.
• Add pasta, tossing lightly. Sprinkle with ground nutmeg.
  
  

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Week 3:

• Once again, the tatsoi went into an omelet.

• The arugula, radishes, radish greens, and some of the baby braising greens will go into a salad as a side dish for pizza and tortilla soup (made with some peppers and corn that I froze in the summer).

• I'll be sautéing the Japanese white turnips from this week and last week for a side dish with golden chickpea patties using the following simple recipe from the CSA farm:

Sauteed Baby White Turnips

SERVES 2

4 turnips with greens
2 Tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper

• Cut greens off turnips and save for later.
• Wash turnips and set aside to dry.
• Heat oil in a frying pan on medium high.
• When the oil is good and hot, throw in the whole turnips and stir well to coat with oil.
• Cover and continue cooking for 5 to 10 minutes. When turnips start to brown, and in greens and cool all together until greens are slightly wilted.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  
  

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Other great recipes for fall:

:: fresh 365 made Maple-Pumpkin Pasta with Blue Cheese and Sage and Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadillas.

:: It's Not Easy Being Green invented Crockpot Baked Stuffed Pumpkin with Apples.

:: Farmer's Daughter put together an Apple Tart.

:: A Veggie Venture baked custard inside of a whole pumpkin. She also has an interesting Supper Casserole with Pumpkin and Green Chile Cornbread Topping that I think could be altered to fit a vegetarian lifestyle.


*Note that all costs are estimates based on prices in my area. Your costs may vary.


Related Posts:

• Late Spring/Early Summer Seasonal Recipes
• Spotlight on Raleigh: Finding Local Foods in the Triangle
• Eat Conscious and Local

How Can I Support a Green Economy?

In this sermon of the Green Jobs Gospel, we'll look at what you can do to help build up the green economy.

At the beginning of this year, Obama passed the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to boost our struggling economy. $41 billion of that act are allocated to clean energy and energy efficiency projects. Below, I've described some of the ways that money has been allocated and what you can do to make sure the money is used to make our economy clean, green, and fair for everyone.


:: Weatherization Assistance Program

Goal: To reduce the energy bills of low-income families through energy efficiency or renewable energy. Examples of ways the funds can be used include:

• Adding insulation
  
• Tune-ups, repairs, or replacement of A/C or furnace.
• Installation of fans
• Weatherstripping and caulking around doors and windows

Allocated Funds: $5 billion distributed through states

Eligibility: Dwellings occupied by families with income below 200% of the federal poverty level. (The federal poverty level for a family of four is $22,050; 200% of that is $44,100.) Both renters and homeowners are eligible for this program.

What can I do?

• Find out if you're eligible for this program and apply for assistance through your state.
• Spread the word to others who might be eligible.
  

More information:

• U.S. Department of Energy: Weatherization Assitance Program
  
• Green for All: Understanding the Weatherization Assistance Program
  

:: State Energy Program (SEP)

Goal: To promote energy conservation and reduced dependence on foreign oil. Examples of ways the funds can be used include:

• Energy efficiency projects, including energy audits of buildings
• Renewable energy projects
• Transportation energy efficiency
• Education and training for building designers and contractors

Allocated Funds: $3.1 billion

Eligibility: States, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. Depending on the state's plans for the money, there may be subgranting to businesses, public and private organizations, and local governments.

What can I do?

• Find out how your state plans to use its portion of the money and advocate for the projects you feel are important.
  
• Find out if your business or organization is eligible for a subgrant.

More information:

• U.S. Department of Energy: State Energy Program
• Green for All: Understanding the State Energy Program
  

:: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG)

Goal: To improve energy efficiency and reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions

Allocated Funds: $2.8 billion ($1.6 billion has already been distributed)

Eligibility: U.S. states, territories, local governments, and Indian tribes

What can I do?

• Find out if your state or local government has applied for a grant. If so, advocate for the projects you feel are important. If not, ask why not.
  

More information:

• U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program
• Green for All: Understanding the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

:: Competitive Grants for Green Jobs Training

Goal: To prepare workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy. The funds can be used in training for jobs such as:

• Construction of energy efficient buildings
  
• Renewable energy
• Energy efficient vehicles
• Biofuels
• Deconstruction and materials reuse
• Energy audits
• Manufacturing of sustainable materials
  

Allocated Funds: $500 million divided between five separate grant programs:

• State Labor Market Information Improvement
• Energy Training Partnerships
• Pathways Out of Poverty
• State Energy Sector Partnerships and Training
• Green Capacity Building

Eligibility: Varies from program to program but includes non-profits, government agencies, and labor organizations

What can I do?

• Find out if you are a part of an organization that is eligible for any of these grants.
  

More information:

• Green for All: Understanding the Competitive Grants for Green Jobs Training

What else can I do?

• Support The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act which supports improvements in the green jobs sector and also provides provisions for job training.

• Elect officials that support a green economy.

• Write or call your officials to let them know you support a green economy.

• Be informed about the ways your state and local governments are using the federal money.

• Get involved with local organizations that advocate for green improvements in your community, such as public transportation, energy efficient construction, and renewable energy.

• Support national organizations that push for green jobs and climate legislation, such as Green for All and 1Sky.

Noteworthy Green: Not In Season, Green Halloween, Coal River Mountain, and More...

Check out my latest post at The Green Phone Booth: In Season? Not so much...

My last post here at the Booth was my tribute to seasonal eating. "Jackie" commented on that post:

I'm having such a hard time with this right now. The eco-geek in me REALLLLLY wants to eat as locally and seasonally as possible, but truth be told, I don't like winter veggies very much here in Chicago. I'm not quite sure how to get around that one small fact, other than canning or freezing, which I am too late to do. Your comment about feeling deprived rings true and hard for me. Any suggestions??

I thought this was a great question, so I wanted to open it up to all of you and get your insights.

Read more...

And elsewhere on the Internet:

:: Green Halloween has the best list of alternate "treats" I've ever seen. I'm wishing now that I didn't already buy those organic lollipops.

:: Whip Up has another refashion round up. Love these!

:: Courtney at The Greenists says, "I'd like to buy the world a non-carcinogenic, responsibly packaged, healthier alternative to Coke." I just really, really like that title.

:: Fake Plastic Fish ran into Jackson Browne and got him to rant about bottled water. So cool!

:: Grist describes a very interesting study that indicates that junk food is as addictive as heroin.

:: Smart Family Tips has a yummy looking soup mix recipe for those of you that are under the weather.

I'm now using Twitter to keep track of my noteworthy green reads. If you'd like instant knowledge of what I find interesting, you can find me on Twitter as consciousshoppr.

• Looking for a way to get involved? Take a stand on Coal River Mountain.
  

• Looking for something to do? Check out my More (Fall) Fun, Less Stuff event guide!

Photo by Jonathan Talbot