HeatherKatsoulis.com

Skip the Meat One Day a Week

Or better yet, become a weekday vegetarian. I’m not expecting everyone to give up meat all together. If you enjoy meat, eat it. All I’m asking is that you look into what you’re eating, how it effects the planet and it’s inhabitants, and to consider making a small change with a big impact.

“According to a report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent – 18 percent – than transport. It is also a major source of land and water degradation.”

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Your kitchen is full of natural dyes. Common food items such as red cabbage, onion skins, and coffee can be used to transform plain white eggs into colorful Easter gems. Kids will especially love discovering all the different colors they can create – let them experiment using hard-boiled eggs and bowls of cold dyes.


Here you can learn how to stencil eggs, marble eggs and fill eggs with chocolate: Natural Egg Coloring

Also, check this video out:

So, this week has really been full of insight from a number or resources.

I first watched What Would Jesus Buy, a serious docu-comedy about the commercialization of Christmas.

Then, I read The City that Ended Hunger, an article about a city in Brazil recruited local farmers to help do something U.S. cities have yet to do: end hunger.

excerpt
‘“I knew we had so much hunger in the world,” Adriana said. “But what is so upsetting, what I didn’t know when I started this, is it’s so easy. It’s so easy to end it.”

Adriana’s words have stayed with me. They will forever. They hold perhaps Belo’s greatest lesson: that it is easy to end hunger if we are willing to break free of limiting frames and to see with new eyes—if we trust our hard-wired fellow feeling and act, no longer as mere voters or protesters, for or against government, but as problem-solving partners with government accountable to us.’

And today, I came across this video,

I am so into the slow food movement, new organic Victory Gardens, and just plain old slowing down in this culture.

Now, how can I make this my life’s work?

Pronounced something like “f’-ROHSH-kee”, furoshiki originates from Japanese culture and promotes caring for the environment and reducing waste; Furoshiki is the eco-friendly wrapping cloth. Using techniques similar to origami, it can be used for gift wrapping, grocery shopping or simply as decor. Cloths can also be tied up in various ways to make an “instant bag.” Choose from a wide variety of sizes and designs to complement your lifestyle.

Why furoshiki? It is reusable and multipurpose. Each year billions of plastic bags end up as litter; reusable bags, such as furoshiki can help reduce the impact to our environment. Its versatility allows you to wrap almost anything regardless of its shape or size.

Check out Furoshiki: Sustainable Gift Wrap for instruction and cloths.

With the holidays right around the corner, there is no better time than now to start planning any homemade holiday gifts you would like to make this year. Nothing captures the spirit of the holidays like a unique gift that’s been made with care and love. With a chance to stay away from the crowded malls you might just find yourself with extra holiday spirit – and cash, too – to take you into the new year. And wouldn’t that be nice.

Check out Gifts From the Heart for DIY gifts and crafts.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the hectic shopping season during the holidays, that often the true meanings of Thanksgiving, Christmas and other winter celebrations get lost. Here are a few ideas to help us all slow down, relax and enjoy the spirit of gratitude and giving this season. Some ideas include “greener” or more personal and meaningful gift options, ways to create new or get back to traditional holiday celebrations that focus on spending quality time with family and friends, and just making time during the season for yourself and perhaps serving others who are not as fortunate.

Check out Simplify the Holidays for ideas and tips for the coming season.