My House is Green - Kind of, Sort of...

I've been on a green path for 3 years now, from vegetarian to vegan and living consciously aware of my impact on the planet. I share my thoughts, ideas, dreams, etc with my husband of nearly 16 years, who I'll call EJ. He will listen, but never really engage. I often wonder how intently he is listening and how often he zones out.

In the 18 years that we have known each other he has never bought a book. He received a book as a gift one Christmas and he tried reading it, but soon lost interest. Well, EJ bought a book this week and the book was Green Collar Economy by Van Jones. When asked why that book, he said that he didn't realize how many African Americans were interested in the ecology. (Say what?) He then said that he didn't know that there are jobs available now and jobs that will be created in the near future that are dedicated to the ecology. (Say what?) EJ also said he was interested in opportunities that will help inner city residents and those in low socio-economic groups obtain access and education about "going green." (Say what?)

I said to him that we must practice what we preach. He then turned to me and said, "Teach me what you know." My house is going green!

Living Cruelty Free In a Cruel, Cruel World

While reading Youngbon's essay at Baby Boomer Vegan I could identify with the path her journey is taking. Youngbon said she first became vegetarian for health reasons and along the way something inside her changed. The same thing has happened with me - I've changed. I care more about living creatures, both human and non-human. I care about our planet; my vocabulary has changed (carbon footprint, greenhouse gases, living green, sustainability, eco friendly). This has been my path to veganism.

I have come to realize that being vegan is MORE than eating no animal products. It involves not wearing, buying, using, animal products and products tested on animals. Cruelty Free is the path I have meandered my way onto.

Veganism is life affirming and it connects me to the power that is greater than I am. This in turn helps in my spiritual formation. I've heard and read carnivores who opinioned that vegans think more highly of themselves than they do of others and that vegans make their lifestyle seem better than those who misuse animals. But I wonder if vegans feel more connected spiritually to the universe, to the creator and it comes across as arrogance. I'm sure there are some who try to force others to live by their philosophies, belief system, and spiritual truth, but I hope this is the exception and not the rule.

This is the life that has chosen me and I freely embrace it. To otherwise is to live as an apostate. Truth has made me free - cruelty free.

Green Smoothie - Recipe #2

1 cup parsley

1 stalk celery

2 med oranges (or 1 large)

1 pomegranate (seeds only)

1/4 to 1/2 lemon

ice

Remember: If the taste of the veggies is too overwhelming just add more fruit. Green smoothies are best made with blenders with very powerful motors. If you don't own one, I suggest that you blend your green veggies first with a little filtered water then blend the fruit. You may have to strain the fibers from the veggies to get a smooth tasting smoothie.

Power of Green!

Here's the story: I began having cold symptoms on Dec 2nd, by Dec 3rd I had post-nasal congested, ear ache, and a dry cough, by Dec 5th all symptoms were gone except the dry cough and small amount of mucus. It may seem that I'm giving too much info, but I'm amazed that my cold didn't last by 2 days 3 if you count the onset. Loving Husband was congested for two weeks.

What I did differently than he was that I continued drinking green smoothies, had vegetable broth with cayenne pepper, and drank warm lemon water. I stopped eating solid food. I also took liquid form of goldenseal. I also made sure to get plenty of rest and limit my exposure to stressful events.

Loving Husband decided to continue eating solid food including diary, took a traditional over-the-counter cold & flu medicine. He was insistent that I take this medicine and eat to "keep up your strength." I think he was wrong this time. I feel great! I'm starting a green smoothie fast on Dec 11th.

The reason I haven't posted in a while is that I've been busy with this Wii & Wii Fit that I purchased.

I Have A Cold...

Courtesy of my Loving Husband, I have a cold and I feel miserable - more so than usual. I always have muscle and joint pain because of lupus and fibromyalgia, but never the sneezing, congestion, coughing, and itchy watery eyes. These are the same symptoms he had before getting full fledged head cold. I bet it happened on Thanksgiving when he kept kissing me and thanking me for cooking. That tells you how often I cook and I'm a really great cook.

So even though I feel listless I am heading to the health store for some herbal remedies. I'm getting zinc, echinacea, goldenseal to go along with the vitamin c I already have. I'm drinking ginger tea with lemon. It may sound like I'm doing too much, but once one thing is out of balance my system goes haywire. I don't like the fact that this mucus is in my nasal passage, in the back of my throat, and it refuses to budge. It grosses me out just thinking about it. My head hurts, my ears hurt, and my throat is sore from this dry cough.

Since I have no appetite I'll drink smoothies today along with freshly juiced oranges.

I'm off to the store because Loving Husband is working.

Photo courtesy of SCol22