Recycling Aerosol Cans

Given my new found love of spray paint, it got me to thinking about how to dispose of my used-up cans.  I found the following information on the Earth 911 website ( earth911.com ).
 

Tips for Recycling Aerosol Cans

Recycling aerosol cans depends upon whether the container is empty or still has liquid inside of it. If the product is empty, you have the option of dropping it off in a bin designated for steel or aluminum at your local recycling facility or in your curbside bin if it is accepted. More than 5,300 communities across the U.S. have household residential and curbside drop-off and buy-back programs (they will give you a few cents for each returned can). First, here are some key points to remember:

    * Be sure that the can is empty. This means that all of the product has to be used up.

    * Dispose of the empty cans using your curbside pick up service or by visiting your local drop off centers. It is best to touch base with your local centers to be sure they accept this type of product for recycling.

    * NEVER throw aerosol cans in roadside dumps or trash fires. These cans are still pressurized and can explode.

But what happens if your container is not empty? If your product is defective, many times the manufacturer will allow you to return the product to them, free of charge so that they can supply you with a replacement product. As long as there is liquid in the container, the aerosol can is not considered waste, but product.

If  your container is not defective, there are very few options. Do not puncture cans, drain, rinse and then recycle. This is dangerous since the contents in the can are under pressure. Once the container is punctured, you could be injured. Another option would be to contact your local recycling facility to see if they will accept partially filled cans. Many times, they may have a way of draining these containers. You may also contact a hazardous waste facility for proper disposal.

It is extremely important that aerosol cans are recycled for a number of reasons. However, one of the most important is safety. When aerosol cans are thrown into landfills, they become a hazard. If a fire were to break out, these contains could explode and cause physical harm to landfill workers and fire fighters. Therefore, please take the extra step to recycle. 

Good to know!

Fueling My Coffee Addiction!

I know it is CRAZY expensive, but I love it...

Jura Imprezza C5

My Uncle and his brother both had them and when we got it, I haven't been able to look at a Peet's the same way again.  Love, love, love these machines.

jura.com

Stop wasting time!

Even though I never heard a kind word about him, this still rings true.

Salty & Sweet

Rolo are one of my favorite candy - anything with caramel pretty much is.  I came across a recipe for "Pretzel Rolo Blondie Bites on Cookies & Cups website ( cookiesandcups.com ) and I needed a birthday treat to send my son, so I thought I would give them a try.

I had a problem with using the mini muffin pan and they all ran together in a big mess, and I couldn't get them to release from the pan, so I baked the remaining batter in a regular size silicon muffin pan, and they turned out fine.

I did have some left over Rolo candies and pretzels, so I used them to make these tasty little treats:

Photo via Crickets Cafe

Simply put the Rolo on a pretzel (I used a Silpat liner on a baking sheet for easy removal) and pop them in a 300 degree oven for about 4 minutes, pull them out and press the pecan half into the melt-y Rolo.  Allow them to cool completely and enjoy!

Reusable Shopping Bags

So I am very proud to say that I have not taken a shopping bag from a retailer or grocery store since November!  I have a TON of reusable bags that were given away at conferences I attended, as well as some that I have purchased, but they are all very stiff and bulky, so I wanted to find one of those cute nylon bags that can fold into a neat little pouch and not take up too much room in my purse.  A quick search found at least three major producers of just such a bag:

Baggu

Baggu ( www.baggu.com ) $9.00 per single bag

Chico Bag

Chico Bag ( www.chicobag.com ) $5.99 per single "Original" bag

Flip & Tumble

Flip & Tumble (www.flipandtumble.com ) $10.00 per single "24-7" bag

I like the look of all of them, especially the Flip & Tumble two-tone option.  What really disturbs me is that all of them, including bags made by Reusit ( www.reusit.com ), are all manufactured in China.  All of the websites that I visited made a point of saying that they only deal with "Fair Trade/Fair Wage" companies, but I still wish they were made domestically.

Chalkboard Paint

Oh how I love Chalkboard Paint!

Here is an example of upcycling a mirror from the Goodwill into a chalkboard.

I simply took the mirror out of the cheap plastic frame, painted the backside with chalkboard paint and spray painted the frame a fun color.  If you ever decide not to use the chalkboard, you can always turn it around and have a very "Snow White/Evil Queen" mirror instead!

Why NOT you?

I knew I liked this line of questioning...

Come on!  Let's keep asking ourselves: Why not me?  There is so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to.  Just keep asking: Why not me!?!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I just came across this great site to help plan and maintain your garden:  Sprout Robot (sproutrobot.com)

You simply type in your zip code and they will tell you how and when to plant the food you want to grow!  It is free to join and receive email notifications, or you can sign up for a fee to have seeds sent to you when their season comes around.

You can also specify Patio Garden, Small Garden, or Family Garden as well as either container or plant bed things to grow.

Give it a try!

Healthy Living

So, I need to come clean, I sent back the P.I.N.K. Method kit today - the very last day I could on their 30-day money back guarantee.  Seeing as how I have actually GAINED a pound in the last four days, I think it is best I go back to what has worked for me in the past.

I need to get back to Bikram Yoga classes, I need to eat a more plant-based diet with no refined sugars and more whole grains.  I need to do my "aerobic with weights" workouts, and I need to love my curves.

The P.I.N.K. Method was just too much, and not enough for me.  The workouts were too much and the recipes were not enough.  I think that if you are younger than 45, and have less than 30 pounds to lose, this could be a great product for you.  I just felt that even the Phase 1 workouts were much too optimistic for the shape I am starting out in, and the amount of weight I need to lose.

I will continue to eat a lean protein, whole grain diet with lots of fresh vegetables, but I am tired of being hungry and tired of not feeling good about myself during the workouts.

If you are on this program and are having success, let me know and I'll spread the word!

PINK Food

So now that I am on the PINK Primary phase of the P.I.N.K. Method diet, I can have 1/2 cup of whole grain at dinner time.  I'm not going to lie, I have been STARVING on this diet, so the added carbs really help to curb those hunger pains in the evening.

I have made this dish twice now, and really like it.  Even if you aren't on the PINK Method, it is a pretty good low-cal, low-fat, plant-based dinner.

Broccoli and Cauliflower with Lentils and Quinoa

3 tbsp uncooked quinoa
1/4 tsp seasoning salt
1/2 cup cooked lentils
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
2 cups fresh cauliflower florets

Dressing:
2 scallions thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
1 tsp chili garlic sauce

Place the quinoa in a medium stock pot with 1/2 cup of water and seasoning salt.  Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low.  Simmer for 10 minutes.  Add the lentils to the stock pot, along with the broccoli and cauliflower florets.  Cover and bring heat to medium.  Allow the cauliflower and broccoli to steam until tender and almost all water has been absorbed, about 8 minutes.

While the vegetables are steaming, mix the dressing in a small bowl.  Pour quinoa mixture into a bowl and top with dressing.  Easy!

I have also added mushrooms to the mix and enjoyed it a lot.

Valentine's Day Card

I am so loving my Silhouette SD!  I know the Cameo version has come out, but I still seem to be able to do everything I want to with this early version.

Here is the progression of pieces I put together.

And the detail for the base card.

Hope you have fun putting together you Valentine's Day cards!  Send me a photo and I'll post them here to share with everyone!

Happy Crafting!

P.I.N.K. Method

Update #1 - Yesterday, I began the PINK Primary phase of the diet. 

 They did not recommend beginning the exercise portion until today - which I did.  The suggestion is Phase 1 Kardio + Yoga Core.  I really liked the Phase 1Kardio, but the Yoga Core was a joke.  I have done my fair share of Bikram and this was practically impossible.  I'll keep with it, but the yoga segment is going to take a long, LONG time to achieve.

So far I've lost 7 lbs and 1 1/2" - whoo hoo!

Oprah and Joel Osteen

I just finished watching Oprah's Next Chapter where she spotlighted Joel Osteen.  I have long admired his positive message of hope but was brought to tears to hear him admit that he believes homosexuality is a sin ( http://www.oprah.com/own-oprahs-next-chapter/Pastor-Joel-Osteen-Discusses-Sin-and-the-Path-to-God ).

While I believe in his sermons and value his insight, here is a subject where we part ways.  I believe that we are all created equal, men and women alike, so if you love your equal - whether it is a man or a woman, you are bringing harm to no one, only love - which makes it anything but a sin.

Be grateful more!  Love more!  Be of service more!  That I believe is the path to God.

Why NOT me?

I read a really interesting article about Diablo Cody's "Aha" moment in the January 2012 issue of "O" magazine.

Diablo Cody from "O" Magazine January 2012

It talked about questioning why things happened in her life, and then she met a strong, cheerful man with cancer who challenged her to ask "Why not me?"

I find this so profound in how we should all view the good as well as the bad things that come up in our lives:

Why not me... to win the lottery, to finally lose the extra weight I have been carrying around for years, to start a whole new path in life at 50, to bring the vision of Poppy Ridge Farm to life!

Rescued!

As I mentioned before, all of my current pets are adopted from rescue organizations.

Today I wanted to introduce you to Olive.

We found Olive on Pet Finder ( petfinder.com ), she was being fostered by an organization who specialized in puppy adoptions, Pound Puppy Rescue ( poundpuppyrescue.org ).  She was part of a litter of 7 and boy, what a wide variety of puppies they were!  We went to the meet-and-greet to actually look at one of her sisters, but once we saw her, we were hooked.

Kona, Zanzy (Olive's mother), and Olive at the puppies 1st birthday party.

Olive (so named because she is black, like a Kalamata olive) is now almost four years old and looks a lot like a 40 pound doberman.  We love her, and I believe she loves us too.

I would like to encourage everyone, looking for a furry family member to consider rescue adoption.  There are so many wonderful animals looking for a loving, forever home.

Artist - Deborah Oropallo

I was first introduced to Deborah Oropallo's  ( deborahoropallo.com )work while working at the San Francisco Design Center.  She had an exhibit at the Stephen Wirtz Gallery in town, and a few of her pieces were used in Designer Showcase rooms.

I love how she uses film on film images accented by energetic shots of color as well as her reduction technique.

Quick and Easy (even Healthy) Soup

One of the reasons I decided to start the P.I.N.K. Method diet, is that it utilizes an expensive piece of kitchen equipment that I already own: a VitaMix.

I have to say, one of my most favorite soups is something that I came up with when I had very little in my fridge and pantry - and it only uses two ingredients!

Super Simple Cauliflower Soup

1 head of cauliflower, broken into florets and roughly chopped
Swanson low sodium chicken broth

Simply put the chopped cauliflower into a pot and add enough broth to cover.  Boil for 10 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender.  Transfer to VitaMix (food processor or blender) and whirl away! (Be careful when creaming hot liquids - they can give a nasty burn.)

Sometimes I put a dollop of low-fat yogurt just to give it a bit of acid, but not necessary.

I have tried other brands of chicken stock, but I like the flavor of Swanson in this recipe.  I have also tried it with broccoli, and while it is OK, the cauliflower is much tastier to me. You could even use vegetable broth for a vegan option.

Hope enjoy!

DIY Kids Gift

I saw some amazing home accent pieces by Ryan McElhinney and was inspired to make a fun lamp for my nephew Finn.

I started with a basic lamp from IKEA and some castoffs from my kids as well as some things I picked up at a local thrift store. 

I roughed up the lamp so the contact cement would work better, and after I got everything attached, I was tempted to leave it as it was.

Since the contact cement, and the sanding on the lamp were so obvious, I went ahead and spray painted it - and LOVE the way it turned out. 

My sister was thrilled, she had just painted the desk in his room red, so the new lamp should fit in perfectly!

P.I.N.K. Method

I heard about this lifestyle regime on "Dr. Phil" and decided to give it a try.  It is specifically designed for women and promises some pretty impressive results ( pinkmethod.com ).

Very nice workbook with meal suggestions, recipes and forms to track progress.

Since I haven't been able to keep up with my Bikram yoga addiction (too expensive for me right now), I thought this would be a good way to get back on track for the new year.

I started yesterday (1/2/2012) and have already lost 3.5 lbs of water weight on the "PINK Preset".  You start each day with a "PINK Drink" and eat lean protein and veggies for your other two meals.  The exercise part doesn't start until after you finish the "Preset", so I'll let you know how the first exercise phase (there are three stages) goes in a week or so.

I'll keep checking back in with you and let you know how I'm doing!

If this is a program you are trying - let me know how you find the diet/exercise program and what results you have achieved.

Book Club - January 2012

First, I must apologize for my December 2011 pick - The Mermaid Chair.
I hated this book.  I thought about posting another selection, but I figured that is what book club is all about - the good and the bad.

I hated all of the characters - or maybe it was because there was zero character development!  I don't feel that I got to know any of them except on the most superficial level.  I especially hated the protagonist, Jessie Sullivan - what a drip!  She was the most weak, selfish, dull character I have come across in a while. And there was so much that could have built upon the whole "Mermaid Chair" symbolism - and again, nothing other than the most superficial of references - just like every relationship - superficial, shallow, and pointless.

If you liked this book - please let me know what I missed, because I couldn't find anything redeeming about this one at all.

Now on to (hopefully) much better things!  For January, I chose "Freedom" a novel by Jonathan Franzen who wrote The Corrections.

My kids gave this to me for Christmas last year, so I really should read it.

Let's hope that this choice is much more entertaining and thought provoking!

Happy New Year!

I saw this quote in an ad for Green Mountain Coffee, and for whatever reason, it really spoke to me and my journey.

What do you want to do with your life?

Dare to write the life of your dreams TODAY!

 Looking forward to 2012 and making the most of my options and the best choices for me, my family and the world we all share.  Thanks for taking the time to check in from time to time.