Happy Earth Day

Today is set aside to celebrate the beauty that surronds us on our Mother Earth and the awareness that is made to protect her.  Though in my world I believe and practice that Earth Day should be everyday.  Everyday we should be doing something to make this world a cleaner and better place.  This goes beyond  today....this goes beyond just the acknowledgement that something needs to be done....it is about doing good and actually doing it in our everyday activities.  It doesn't have to be big huge changes every day, it is about just taking the strides to get to a more earth-friendly way of life....big or small!

My biggest motivation to protect our Mother Earth are my children.  I want to protect their future, their surroundings, their ability to enjoy and fall in love with the world around them.  They deserve to hike the trails, awe at the waterfalls, frolic in the meadows, ride on the mountain, swim in the lakes, fish in the rivers....they deserve what the Earth provides us.  If we don't protect it.....our children may not get these amazing incredible adventures.

Our Mother Earth is pretty spectacular and provides the perfect balance for us.  She deserves us to fight for her and to take the steps to allow her to heal.  We are all connected by our Mother Earth as a big family with one big home.  We need to pick up that big broom and sweep up the filth, the hate, the grim that is seeping into our beauty.  So....tred lightly my friends!  And get outside today and love on our planet!  Here is the link to my list that I put together last year....it is still a great list.  I am adding these great ideas along with it....

• Slow down....enjoy your surroundings....show your children the little details this Earth has provided us with.
• Visit a local farm.
• Make art from something that might have been thrown away.
• Turn off your lights!  Use candles!  
• Go out!  Explore!
• Most important....have fun with it all!

I am off to enjoy this beautiful sunny day with my children.  We are working on our garden, playing in the sun, attending our local Earth Day Celebration, and finishing the day with a delicious seasonal organic dinner with my family!  

source via Climbing-Up

Happy Earth Day!

-Alyson

‎"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." - Native American Proverb

Happy Earth Day!

While everyday is Earth Day in our house, today we also celebrate our planet....mother nature...mother earth...our home!  She is absolutely magnificent and deserves such a celebration, especially everyday!   It is time for us as a whole human race to be kind to her!   Our planet is our home, and we are all connected as one big family!  It is time we set aside our differences, reach out with love and kindness, and help each other and this planet.  We need to listen to what Mother Earth is saying and tred lighter on her.  This needs to be done so our children and grandchildren have a safe and healthy place to live. 

So go outside today and do something kind for our planet.  Then try it again tomorrow and the day after.  There are many small things that can be done every single day that leads to a earth friendly life.  It doesn't take much!  If everyone started taking these small steps to help our planet and each other....things will get better.  Our earth will start to heal!  And we need to do this with love....lots of love!

Here are list of things you can do today and everyday to celebrate our Earth and to do something kind for her......

• Plant a tree!
• Plant a garden/work in the garden
• Cook and eat an organic, local, sustainable dinner
• Thank & hug a farmer
• Go on a nature walk
• Hug a tree
• Avoid this nasty thing called....plastic!
• Pick up litter
• Clean up your favorite park or beach
• Sit in a beautiful spot outside & meditate
• Attend local events that promote earth friendly activities.  
• Stop buying stuff
• Reuse and upcycle what you already have
• Share with others
• Make something instead of purchasing it
• Be creative!
• Watch a documentary that expands your knowledge.  My favorites....No Impact Man, King Corn, Blue Gold, Food Inc, Tapped, Fresh, Garbage Warriors, Dirt-The Movie, Bag It.  Oh I have so many but I will stop there

I truly could go on forever!   There is so much that can be done!  So I hope you get out and enjoy this day while doing your best to do something kind for this planet.  I'm off to enjoy the sun with some planting of trees, vegetables, and flowers!  Then a great "earth dinner" with my little family!  Tomorrow is our local Earth Day Celebration that we will be attending!

I got permission to use this image from the amazing Brenna @ Almost All The Truth!  Check out her blog!

Happy Earth Day!
-Alyson

"The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope."  -Wendell Berry

Menus and Bellies

30 weeks today!  Two more months! I feel like this pregnancy has gone so fast yet at the same time I can't remember what it was like NOT being pregnant!  My belly is growing right along with my little one and I am feeling great at the moment!  I am trying to walk as much as possible and doing my yoga routine more frequently!  And nesting....that is already in FULL effect!  For the next two months...I plan to send some "organic" pregnancy tips your way.  Maybe I will even keep doing it after the baby is born!  The pregnancy and birth world has really become a passion of mine and I LOVE to talk and share information about it.  Since I am working on becoming a doula, I feel writing on here about pregnancy and birth will only expand my knowledge about it!  So stay tuned in the next week for some awesome organic pregnancy talk!

My belly at.....28 weeks!

Sorry the lack of posts the past week or so.  This spring weather has kept me outside...planting, walking, playing, enjoying!  I am not going anywhere though.  My blog is staying and soon with a fresh look to it.  I am excited to share it with you all!  On to my menu for this week!  We have quite a few simple recipes for the week and then some fun ones for the fun weekend we have ahead!  Since this is Earth Week.....remember that one of the biggest things you can do to help our Earth is to cook and eat organic, local, and sustainable foods.  The foods we choose determine the health of the earth and our bodies!

MENU:

MONDAY:  Baked salmon, sauteed asparagus, and brown rice

TUESDAY-  Vegetable Stir Fry over brown rice

WEDNESDAY-  Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

THURSDAY-  Dinner at a good friend's house

FRIDAY-  Happy Earth Day!  Light & Creamy Asparagus Pasta (We will be adding local sustainably caught shrimp to this dish).  I am also making Kale Chips as an appetizer. Recipe to follow!

SATURDAY-  Green Pizza with homemade dough

SUNDAY-  Happy Easter!  Having a family dinner at my aunt's house.  Making and bringing a Broccoli & Garlic Quiche!  Recipe to follow!

For more meal planning inspirations, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie every Monday.

What are you cooking this week?

Peacefully,
Alyson

"Eating Is An Environmental Act." -Alice Waters, Restaurateur/Environmental Activist