Jun
21
2007
21
2007
Live Lightly: Spread the Love Tour
Filed under: Photography, Alternative Housing, Friends, Activism, Green Living, Environmentalism, Simplifying
Hello friends!
I’ve been gone a long time…but I’m back with a really exciting announcement! Matt, Bella, and I are going on tour! We have recently purchased an RV that will run on straight vegetable oil, and we are going to travel around the U.S. for the next year.
Wait a minute! Did you say veggie oil?! Yes. FREE waste vegetable oil…the same kind that your eggroll was fried in for lunch. Pumped straight from behind your local Thai/Chinese/Fast Food restaurant into our tank (filtered of course). I am writing this post from Springfield, MO, home of Golden Fuel Systems. Golden Fuel Systems converts any diesel engine to run on veggie oil…and we are so excited to be a part of this alternative fuel movement.
BUT…I NEED YOUR HELP! We have a rough route mapped out…but we want to base our travels on YOU! I would love to come and meet you face to face…and also have you assist us in finding green/sustainable/alternative fairs, coops, and other educational opportunities in your local areas. We are going to be looking for companies/organizations to sponsor our educational tour as well.
While we are on the road, we will still need to make some money to live. I am going to be scheduling photo shoots in each area that we stop in. For those of you that could assist in getting the word out in your town…I will give you a significant discount on your own photos. You can see some of my portrait sessions here. I will also be available to help you simplify, downsize, and/or decorate your homes! Matt will assist by doing any handiwork/painting around your house.
If you are interested in adding your town to our tour…please contact me immediately and we’ll start talking details! We are planning to leave in late August/early September.
We just launched our new website today with many more details of what I have just shared… and we will be detailing the entire journey on that site. Check it out here: http://www.livelightlytour.com
Wheeeeeee! We are so excited to hit the road!
Posted by Sara @ 7:53 pm | Leave a Comment
Sara
Daughter of the Almighty. Wife. Mama. Sister. Friend. Traveler. Photographer. Designer. Tea drinker. Reader. Knowledge seeker. Google lover. Kitchen dweller. Dreamer. Leader. Homebirther. Breastfeeder. Homeschooler. Lover of life.
21
2007
Hi! I’ve been lurking around your site for a while, impressed with your dedication to family and a healthier earth, and I just had to comment on this post! If you come through the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas, I would love to schedule a portrait session with you, and I wish you blessings as you take off on the open road to have some adventures.
21
2007
Oh, come to Milwaukee and visit ME! We seriously need a handyman around here, too.
A fellow MDC mama
21
2007
Wow! How exciting! I admire you so much for the fact that you follow your dreams and live the kind of life that you do. Right now I’m working on saving up and planning a 2 - 3 year roadtrip around the US and Canada. I can’t wait to hear about your travels. I wish your family all the best and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!
Melanie
21
2007
Ditto New Mama: Come to Milwaukee!!!
21
2007
THRILLED for y’all on this adventure and only slightly jealous!!
My hubby is wanting to learn all about veggie oil and thought it was way cool that you are doing this. We’ve got all kinds of projects and stuff you could help us with! Some painting and drywalling and doing some beadboard in a bathroom…and of course I would just love to hang out, thrift, and gab!
Come to SC!!
21
2007
I am so excited for you and your family! Vegetable oil! I’ve never heard of such a thing, that’s awesome! I would totally to love to meet you, and get decorating advice, and photographs! What an awesome, and inspiring adventure you are about to partake on!
21
2007
Wow, that is the coolest thing I’ve ever heard of! I wish I could help, but since my hub just got fired (today!) we’re not sure what we’re doing. Got any spare room? LOL
21
2007
Sara, you guys Rock! Hope you have an absolutely fabulous tour! And anyone that has you do their photos will be completely blessed!
Lots of Love!
21
2007
All I can say is Wow!! You 3 are so awesome! I can’t believe you are going on tour! I would love it if you came our way! I would love to get portraits done of our kids and get some decorating advice and we definitely need some handy man work around here!! You have to come to Northern Virginia! It seems that the area that I live in is so not Green! They need to learn a thing or two around here! If you come this way I would love to meet you! I’ve been reading your blog for quite some time now and love, love, love it!!! Good luck on your travels and have a wonderful time. I would love to tour the U.S.A!
21
2007
If you come down through SW OK on your way to Texas, we’d love to meet you…might have some painting or something to do and would definitely love pictures. Also, if you could be in OKC on the third Thursday of any month, you could watch the sorting of our Oklahoma Food Co-op orders. The OK Food Co-op is a group of Oklahoma producers (many producing organically) who sell their wares locally; we try to buy the majority of our food through them. Ten other states are looking at this as a model to try in their states.
21
2007
Very cool! We built our own tiny 5′x12′ camping trailer that is superlight, streamlined, and minimal. I wonder if we could convert our tow vehicle…a Toyota Sienna van? Interesting…
What will you do with your apartment during your year of travel?
21
2007
Hey Sara, that’s so exciting. I thin kwhat you guys are doing is so cool and I can’t wait to cheack the new site out. I’ll be moving to Jacksonville, FL around then, but would love to do a portrait session if I can afford it. Not sure how much it costs. If you make it to town, you guys can come volunteer at a Habitat for Humanity site. I will be a volunteer recruiter for them come August
Seriously, anything I can do to help, just let us know.
22
2007
Sara, I am so happy for you and the family. If the Lord leads you to South Texas I would love to spend some time with you.. I know that there are many members of the HCBB that would love to hang out, you might want to mention your trip on the board.. South Texas, come to South Texas!!
22
2007
Sara, is Golden Fuel Systems going to be a sponsor? I think it would be a good thing if they were-to get the word out about alternative fuel choices.
We will be soon moving to Iowa City, so stop by there (plus its not that far from Des Moines (smile) . Also maybe something can be arranged with Univ. of Iowa and a talk about greener living/appications to real life- or something like that. You guys rock!
God Bless,Nikki.
22
2007
Hello,
I think you should come to Sacramento, California. I would love to have a photo session and my husband has a company here that builds eco-urban houses. The web site is LJUrban.com I think it would be worth your time.
22
2007
Hello!
I am a lurker, I get my daily inspiration from your site and links. I’ll have to tell my hubby about your vehicle he’s an engineer and just loves things like that (he’s trying to get his company interested and involved in wind power as well). Have a great tour! if you by any chance end up in Europe come and stay with us in Glasgow, Scotland!
22
2007
Oh how glorious!!!! I’m another lurker from the UK. Yes, come to Europe and vist us in London too!
22
2007
Veggie oil as fuel? That really sounds interesting!! Wish you all the best for your new journey. Here’s hoping that people will purchase more RV motorhomes
taking cue from both of you
22
2007
I second the Iowa City suggestion! I am betting there are university groups in most college towns that would love to feature your adventure.
22
2007
Wow, that is so awesome! I can’t imagine just going where the road takes me!
We are way past due for a family portrait. My husband and I need a few taken as well, our wedding pics were not the best so we don’t have much to hang on the walls :). Were not rich though so cost would be a factor. If you could put a price list together that would be great!
Not sure if youre home on wheels will take you through Ohio but if so please contact me! I would be happy to get ahold of area schools and try to set some appointments for you!
22
2007
I have heard about vegetable oil for fuel…very cool that you are going on tour. It will an incredible year.
22
2007
I think what youall are doing is awesome! I would love some pro photos of my kids and maybe you could help us learn to be more earth friendly too and maybe your hubby could help my hubby finish our interior painting! Come to Sc we live near Greenville!
22
2007
Hi! I have been a lurker for awhile but I think this sounds amazing! My husband is fascianted by the veggie fuel. How fun! If you come through TN, we would love some pictures. We have a (fairly) new baby, so there is plenty to shoot here
I also an a herbalist and do seminars etc (www.VintageRemedies.com) so with enough notice maybe we could set something up….
jess
22
2007
Another South Carolina girl here– I love the adventure you are embarking on. Any chance you could post a map on your website of your rough route?
I am also in the Greenville area of SC, and taking the first baby steps of green and simple living!
22
2007
WOOHOO! i’ve heard of using veggie oil as fuel! that’s so exciting, guys. really - i just told michael and he is fired-up excited for you. we KNOW you will just have to stop in Omaha and see us! if you stop by after the new year, we’ll have another baby and be in need of a real family portrait! (or later in the year for some belly pics!)
here’s to an unforgettable year and living your dreams!
22
2007
Sara, this sounds so exciting! I hope it is a great year for you and your family. I’m sure you will make so many memories and meet so many people. I look forward to following along w/you and watching for you on Good Morning America or somewhere like that.
I’d love for you to come visit us. I will send you an email.
22
2007
Wow! This sounds so exciting! If you make it to the West Coast and want to add Canada to your adventures you are more than welcome to visit us in Vancouver, BC. I live in a cohousing community so it would be a great opportunity to see what it means to live in a small urban community. We even have the space to set you up to give a talk or presentation and Vancouver has many people who would be interested in alternative fuels and living gently. Wishing you all the best as you set forth on your great adventure.
22
2007
Sara, I would love it if you came this way. We live just outside of Austin and there are tons of things going on here. You can park your rig here or in many other cool places in this area. We could use a portrait and there are always trees to trim, limestone pathways to set, gardens to work in, etc. We live on a lifetime-project site. If you decide to come to Texas, let me know. I am so jealous of you and this trip. Way cool.
22
2007
How about Santa Fe/Albuquerque?
22
2007
I’m just down the road from Springfield in the beautiful Branson area. Sorry its so hot while your in our area this week. Thankfully the lakes are cool and thats where we’re headed for the afternoon.
22
2007
Where is Boulder on the itinerary? I am going to look into some of our companies here for sponsors for you. Any ideas? Also, I want to set up a photo shoot party with my playgroup while you are here. Love you, friend
22
2007
Yes, you must come thru SC. You are such an inspiration, so glad I found your site. I would love to set up a photo shoot as well.
22
2007
I’d say come to my town…. but go figure! We’re moving to Bozeman in August just when you’re on the way outta town lol! I wish you all the best on your adventure. I just love your blog and I want to let you know how much you’ve inspired me. Many of the things I now do (or don’t do!) are direct result of the advice and information posted here. Now about that precious little apartment of yours (that I saw on flickr)… (wink wink) will you be subletting? We’re having a heck of a time finding a place to live… God Bless!
22
2007
I am a long time lurker, but I saw this and wanted to say come to Lawrence, KS! We have a great co-op and Farmer’s Market. And there is a big bike riding culture! Come play here!
22
2007
Awesome, awesome, awesome.
You would find a very interested audience here in Ann Arbor. I am on an email list for locals interested in green stuff and environmental action, and there are any number of groups on that list that might be interested in sponsoring you and/or setting up educational opportunities. We also have an exceptional Co-Op and Farmer’s Market, as well as basically any green-related venue a person could want. I would be happy to investigate potential opportunities for you if you want to come. [as well as getting the word out about your photo shoots!]
22
2007
Longtime lurker here, and I put in a third nomination for stopping by Iowa City! I was so excited telling my husband about this. What a cool and exciting adventure for you guys! I’m really looking forward to hearing (reading!) how it goes.
22
2007
There’s not a lot of green activity around Crawfordsville, IN except for our little bit, I’m afraid! You know we’d love to get in on the love spreading, though! What an amazing opportunity for you three, and a wonderful way for Bella to begin her childhood! I am happy about this new chapter in the Janssen Story!
22
2007
Wow! You guys are always up to something new.
Well, we’re in Bradenton - right next to Sarasota, FL. I think the next Green Expo is in October or November here. I can let you know if you want more info. Blessings to you on your journey. I’m sure you’ll have a blast! 
22
2007
I’ll second Cathy with an invite to SW OK! We live in an apartment in Lawton but I’d sure love to meet you all. The local news media has nothing much to talk about anyway.
~Anna
23
2007
Oh, Mama, do we need you! If you’re planning on coming south please hop on over to Nashville, TN. I should be big and round by the time you make it here (babe due first week of Nov) and I’d love some pics, not to mention some serious decorating help. Nashville needs you!
23
2007
Hey Sara! One place that needs you is Norfolk, Virginia. There is a great food co-op here but not much else. This area has a lot of Hybrid cars and there is talk of a company building the largest biodiesil plant in the world a couple of miles from my house. Come stay awhile and enjoy the ocean!
23
2007
Hello!
I love your website. Very inspirational. I live in Vancouver, BC. I am seeing more and more vehicles that advertise that they run on vegetable oil. It’s very exciting. It’s people like you and your family who are truly ‘being the change we want to see’
Congratulations on your new home!
Deeann
23
2007
If you manage to make it to the Pacific Northwest (and you should get to the Portland area!) you will love it and find many like minded people here.
I live in Salem and we have Kettle Chips produced here:
http://www.kettlefoods.com/
If you click on their website you will see their link to “how to run a car on potato chips”. You always see their veggie VW beetles driving around town. Maybe they would be interested in sponsoring you if they knew about your project. Not to mention that they make the best darn potato chips in the world!
I also think you would like my church here very much:
http://www.salemalliance.com/home/index.php
Let me know if you are in the area!
24
2007
Hi Sara! Congrats on your new adventure. Just a word of caution, though. I recently read in treehugger about a guy in North Carolina who had to pay a huge fine for using veggie oil. Something to do with ‘illegal fuel’ and not paying the road tax.
Here is the link:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/survey_taxing_v.php
And I know the same thing happened in Illinois. So make sure you take measures so that this doesn’t happen to you! I would hate for that to happen.
All the best,
Alina
24
2007
Wow. Again taking the step forward I had always kept in the back of my mind! How exciting! I see other folks from WI are interested to see you. You can find plenty in the Madison area and other parts of the state as well. I’ll gather some resources.
Safe travels! I hope it is a wonderful experience!
24
2007
Come to Rome, GA! We’d love to have you- it’s a great place to see the sites, both historic and natural. I could use some good decorating advice- AND some portraits of my lil punk!
24
2007
Very cool. I went to school in Springfield, MO. I now live in St. Louis, MO. Email if you are coming through here. I passed your camp this summer when I was driving through from Idaho to Missouri. I was so surprised to see the sign and recognize it from your blog!
24
2007
Longtime lurker - no more! I’ve been admiring your photography and would love to have you take some family portraits for us. Please come to the Twin Cities - I think you probably will since it seems that you are here periodically already.
I’d love to chat with you in person about food. I’ve got a food science background and have some shared and some different opinions with you. would love to have a face to face chat!
25
2007
Hi Sara–
My husband and I are an hour east of Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver is full of alternative-living/green companies. We would be honoured to have you and your family stop by our place. And we would be glad to set you up with some Photos Shoots. You could visit the Cob house you love on Mayne Island, not far from our home…just a ferry ride across. If you are interested, leave me a comment on my blog and we can communicate about details. Have so much fun!
25
2007
I told my MIL you’re doing this (I’ve shared some of your posts with her before) and she said to tell you to stop by our farm (they live on one side of the road, we live on the other) and that she’s even got an RV hookup in the back of their property. LOL She’s dead serious about convincing you to come here, and would LOVE your help with some things! So if you’re in the Boise, ID area (which is actually where we’re moving this fall), we’re just an hour NW immediately across the Oregon border.
Good luck to you three! Prayers for a safe and fun journey!
25
2007
Oops…I totally linked to someone else’s blog! Mine is at Worpress…NOT blogspot! LOL Sorry!
25
2007
We are hoping to convert our car to run on french fries in a couple of weeks! God helped us make the decision pretty easily - his engine cylinder head BROKE! HAHA!
I will be praying for you guys. I’ll email you. Can you come help us build our cob house next Summer?!
25
2007
Contact me please about info about energy fair in Missouri. Come to Peoria!!!
25
2007
Please say ya coming to Peoria. I will contact the museums, The Green Party, The Peoria Peace Network etc. and find a band, or singer-songwriter to play to play. Willing to do research and help out to coordinate your tour.
25
2007
Do the Interstate 74 Tour. Lots of college towns and 2 State Capitols.
25
2007
There is not much green activity here in Johnson City, TN, but Asheville is only 45 mins. away. Please come and visit. =)
25
2007
Tallahassee Florida would be a fun town for you. There is the New Leaf Market co-op and lots of interest in the environment here in Florida’s capital. Alas, I am not very “green” myself, but I could sure use you help in downsizing/streamlining.
25
2007
Oh, wow! My sis and her folk/blues musician husband toured and camped this past winter/spring and loved it. You’ll have an adventure, I’m sure!
26
2007
If there is any reason that you’d want to come to Rochester, NY (???) it’d be fun to meet you. (We are a new-to-crunchy-living family) Definitely check out the Adirondacks - they’re wonderful in the autumn.
26
2007
A third vote for the Milwaukee area. There are a lot of natural foods stores out here and I’d love to have portraits done for our xmas cards!
26
2007
Hi Sara,
Here is a blog of a couple who converted an old school bus thought it might be worth a look.
http://www.enchantedgypsy.blogspot.com/
26
2007
This is just fantastic - taking an RV trip to explore the country is my dream! I’ve been lurking here for a while, and I can’t wait to read about your adventures.
I’m in the DC area - which isn’t the greenest place to live, but you all should check out the Solar Decathlon on the National Mall in October. (http://www.solardecathlon.org/) Teams from universities across the country (world?) design, BUILD, and operate energy-efficient solar powered homes! You can tour the actual houses and meet a lot of people involved in living green - perhaps living in one could be your next adventure when you “settle down” after a year on the road?
26
2007
Wow! That’s so exciting. If you come to Chicago you could speak to the kids in my dorm…
I heard about those veggie oil vehicles, it is so cool that you got an RV and you’ll be traveling with it! Yay!
27
2007
I am a homebody and am anxious to get back home after even a week away, so I don’t think I could handle a big road trip myself.
But I look forward to reading about your adventures!
People, don’t miss the chance to book Sara to take photos of you when she’s in your area. My friends and I have been so happy with her work!
27
2007
Wow! I am beyond impressed! Have fun you guys! I would love a veggie car someday, but an RV, that is just choice.
28
2007
oh wow! awesome! hae fun! what happened to your cute apartment? anyway if you ar ein the area please come to southern arizona! (I am south of Tucson!) I would love to meet you!
28
2007
I think this is a wonderful endeavor. You will be showing Bella so much of the U.S. and be spreading a good message to those you meet along the way. We’re in VA Beach right now, but moving to the KC area this August. If you find yourself back in the area, or NW Iowa,or Iowa City let me know and I could probably get you in touch with some photo shoots. Also, I’d love some help downsizing. Good luck on your trip, I’ll be traveling along with you in the blog-world!
28
2007
I’m sure you already know this, but the Simple Way community in Philly is working to start a Grease Co-op of sorts (I read this in the spring newsletter). Have an amazing trip!
29
2007
We might be interested in a photo shoot if you make it to Minnesota. I don’t know if you still do any film photography, but my husband has a humble little darkroom if you are interested.
We also just attended a great renewable energy fair in Stevens Point Wisconsin (http://www.the-mrea.org/energy_fair.php) in June of 2008 will be the next one.
We have an old Mercedes that runs on veg, though we’re still working out our filtration system and some other kinks. Lately we’re mostly going by bus or bike.
Please come for dinner or tea time or a picnic at our house when you’re in the area!
Will you have your bikes?
29
2007
I too have been lurking for a while but I just wanted to tell you how much I’m loving you guys right now! I’m so happy for you and dream of a time when I’m able to do this with my family.
blessings
30
2007
I am so jealous. What an amazing adventure! Emailed you about stopping in central Illinois.
30
2007
Well, parking that big ole thing might be hard but your welcome in New York (Astoria, Queens) any time.