Jul
10
2007
10
2007
One Step
Filed under: My Story, Green Living
All or nothing. That’s me. If I am passionate and excited about something, I jump in and do it without looking back. But even with my personality as it is, the journey that I am on has taken time. All of the changes in my life did not happen overnight. I took one step at a time and eventually it came to equal big changes.
I thought it would be fun and encouraging to hear about everyone’s journey toward simpler and/or green living. You can write your story in the comments, or write your own blog entry and just leave a comment with the link. I’ll kick it off with my own story.
In 2002, I was in Barnes and Noble and came across Mothering Magazine. I was enthralled with everything they said and was excited to get home and check out their online forums. Once I got there, I was hooked. I spent hours on there researching and learning and getting excited about “natural living”. This was still two years before I was pregnant with Bella…but I loved reading in the cloth diaper forum 
I knew, even then, that I would use cloth, that I wanted a midwife and homebirth, and that I loved those cool slings. Most of my reading focused on attachment parenting, and natural baby products. I continued to explore all of these things and when I had Bella, I was finally able to put my natural parenting/birth ideas into action. Once I started down that path…I became increasingly more interested in using natural beauty & cleaning products. Research led to more research…and like my friends and I always say, “it’s a slippery slope!”.
In the Fall of 2004, I was getting increasingly frustrated because we just couldn’t afford organic meat. But, I didn’t want to buy non-organic meat. So, I just stopped buying meat altogether…and that was the beginning of my vegetarianism. My initial motivator soon morphed into other things, like being appalled at the way animals were treated at factory farms, the pollution from conventional farms, the studies showing how much healthier your body was by consuming less meat. At that same time, I just happened to run into a mom at the farmer’s market who had just had a homebirth, was a vegetarian and had all of the same interests as I did. We hit it off and she was kind of my vegetarian “mentor”. Denise and I are still close friends today, even though we live far apart! Matt was and always has been supportive of my decision. We don’t have meat at home, but he regularly eat meats when we are out. I will occasionally buy him some organic turkey breast or organic beef jerky as a treat at home. I’m very blessed to have a flexible husband who loves my cooking. He says as long as he’s full…that’s all that matters! Eventually, I went fully vegan (no eggs, dairy or any animal product)…although I am not now. And I had a short stint where I ate 100% raw food.
When I started hanging around online with vegans and vegetarians…I learned about so many other things. Most vegetarians tend to be activist minded, thinking kind of people. They are questioning the norm…making a decision to go against the flow. I started to question everything that I thought was “normal” and I made sure that what I was doing aligned with my values. My interest in living a more earth-friendly lifestyle is rooted in my faith. I believe that those who follow Jesus should be the most outspoken environmentalists there are! Christians talk so much about being good stewards of their money, their time, or their body…but being a good steward of the earth He has entrusted to us is just as important. God cannot be pleased when he sees excessive waste, excessive chemicals being poured out into the waters, and excessively nonchalant attitudes among His people. You don’t have to be a radical tree hugger to take care of creation. It’s just part of stewardship.
In the Summer of 2005, we were staying in a hotel for 4 weeks for business. We had a small suite that had a bedroom and a little kitchen. I realized while we were there that I was EXTREMELY HAPPY living in a smaller space. I liked knowing where Bella was at all times without searching. I liked that cleaning up only took a few minutes instead of an entire afternoon. It just clicked. Matt and I talked about that for a long time and when we returned from our trip, we decided to sell our house (that we had just purchased a few months before)…and downsize everything. We spent entire weekends cleaning out our basement, selling things on eBay and Craigslist. Slowly, we came out from under our self-imposed weight of possessions. In that time, we also had a strict budget and paid off all of our consumer debt (credit cards, cars, etc). It took one year…but by the end of that year, we had paid the debt, sold our house, and moved into a smaller apartment. It was during that time that I discovered the Compact and also many blogs that were discussing simpler/greener living. I loved the freedom I felt in giving things away, helping others, and feeling the wonderful “light” feeling that comes with getting rid of things that you don’t need. The group of friends I had in Des Moines were also instrumental in my journey…so many wonderful, thoughtful mamas, encouraging each other to make slow changes.
The jobs that we had during that time (working for my family) were great for the pocketbook, but not so great for keeping sanity. We made the hard decision to resign, move to Bozeman, MT and seek out a slower pace of life. It’s been a great time of reflection, rejuvenation, and searching out what God has for our lives.
Before we sold our house, we had purchased a gorgeous VW Westy and we had planned on traveling the country in it. Circumstances arose and we ended up selling it before we moved to Bozeman…but the traveling lifestyle was still calling to us. We were always talking about how we wished that we would have just done it. We decided to follow our hearts. What is the worst that could happen by pursuing our dreams? Failure? No big deal…at least we can say we tried! And in the end, we’ll have no regrets.
So, here we are today. We know that God has called us to downsize once again and travel…at least for awhile. He has graciously opened doors and provided wonderful opportunities for us to share our passion about living small and sustainably and sharing our love of Christ. We have dreams of starting our own ministry in the next couple of years, recruiting other young families, and traveling around the U.S…stopping at different camps to do work projects (1-2 months at a time). Matt would love to start doing work related to his true passion, which is leading worship. We hope to incorporate that into our traveling ministry.
So, that’s the story. We have taken one step at a time; sometimes they are baby steps…sometimes they are huge leaps of faith. But wherever the road leads, we know that God has our future planned, they are good plans…full of hope!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
Posted by Sara @ 1:07 am | 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.
10
2007
It is a small world, isn’t it? Not only have we run into each other 2x in the D.M. area, our husbands are worship leaders. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. My very meat eating husband also requires that the kids eat meat as well. What do you do with Bella?
10
2007
That is crazy :)I didn’t know he did worship!
Bella is a vegetarian as well. Sometimes I get the comment that I’m not “giving her the choice” to eat meat. However, I don’t remember having a choice NOT to eat meat when I was a child.
It’s all in your perspective I guess. She is a robust, healthy young lady who loves her tofu and broccoli.
One of the biggest reasons she is vegetarian is for health reasons.
Children’s systems are less able to fight against the scads of chemicals and pesticides that come with conventional (non-organic) meat. Most of the nastiness is “stuck” in the fat of the meat.
What you put in a child’s body when they are young has a direct effect on their adult health (i.e. cancer, heart disease, etc…it all forms when they are very young). Check out the book “Disease Proof Your Child: Feeding Kids Right” by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.
http://www.amazon.com/Disease-Proof-Your-Child-Feeding-Right/dp/0312338058
Some great research.
10
2007
Sara
Thank you for sharing your journey. I stumbled upon your blog via another friends site and was immediately taken by a way of life which I am slowly working towards. My husband and I have always lived simply (mostly out of necessity, not necessarily conviction). Yet, two years ago we moved to England for him to pursue a PhD. We brought nothing but a few suitcases with clothes, and at first were a bit hesitant about leaving all our “things” behind. But, I must say that our time here has been rich as we have learned that a life void of “stuff” offers freedom which we never imagined.
We are expecting our first child any day now, and this has spurred me on to thinking and researching about, not just simpler living, but also greener living. Your blog has been a tremendous resource for me. We will be moving back to the US in a few months, and are nervous about the change, recognizing how intentional our decisions will have to be in order to create and maintain a lifestyle that demonstrates good stewardship of creation. As we transition back to a culture of convenience, we are striving to make deliberate choices which will counter the norms and demonstrate our belief that Christ’s death has not only broken the curse of sin over our lives, but has also given us the promise of redemption for ALL His creation.
10
2007
Your story is so inspiring and familiar… and finding your blog is also part of my own “road to living green!”
Steph
10
2007
Just a thought- I wondered how much stuff Jesus used/or carried around when He was minstering to people on Earth. I bet not much(:
Well I’m surely not as “green” as some of you guys but I do make attempts. Really I started becoming more interested in natural family living thru the Mothering magazine website/forums (Sara I found your blog thru Mothering as well). My initial reason for going to that site was to find some suggestions/read about moms experiences with postpartum depression because I had it with my first daughter. Reading the stories of other moms going thru the same thing helped me (as well as getting help IRL). It was just helpful to know that I wasn’t the only one. Then I started lurking around the nutrition forums on Mothering, trying to figure out what I could do nutritionally to help with my mood/feelings. I really got started in Traditional foods/whole foods which emphasized eating food as close to its natural state as possible-and eating good fats. Therefore, I started getting on the whole foods train-seeking out better food, and more local food options (which hasn’t always been easy).
Well I’ve been trying to make changes in small ways so I will not completely overwhelm my family. I’m encourgaed by your blog. It has helped my really rethink what it important in life. Really we as human beings don’t need much. I’m always amazed at how people in other (perhaps) less developed countries manage with so much less than we do-and they don’t complain as much. My hope is to desire a simple life because I know that the blessings of God transcend way more than the material.
10
2007
My green story, like Stephanie’s ^, has been largely influenced by some of the choices you have made and inspired in me. I posted an entry at Happy Jack’s Mommy with the whole story.
10
2007
Sara,
Thank you for sharing your fascinating story! My own adventure into “crunchiness” happened in a “slipper slope” fashion. My MIL is from a country/culture where AP and NFP practices are the norm, so my husband never knew any differently as far as parenting goes. I was introduced to babywearing through some of my husband’s baby pictures and learned that my MIL breastfed her babies and co-slept until they self-weaned. Through doing more researching on both of these topics and seeking out a naturopath to help me regain my health after being ill since babyhood, I came across MDC, traditional foods, cloth diapers, homebirth & UC, non-vaccinations, and many other things. As my husband and I grew in our Faith, we made many life decisions to assure that we became better stewards and caregivers to God’s Creation and have lived in a far more green fashion then before. It has been a fascinating journey and I can hardly wait to see where it might lead us in the future!
Thank you again for sharing this story! All of your posts are always such a blessing to me and I do look forward to each one. God Bless!
10
2007
I love coming here in a spare moment and finding you have updated! You are truly an inspiration, many of your view points I agree wholeheartedly on (I can’t think of a time I wasn’t sitting on this side of the computer nodding my head as I read).
It’s great to see how you took steps to get to where you are, it wasn’t overnight, its very encouraging. and its nice to know that while you two are together in everything, that your husband still has meat now and again. My DH isn’t as concerned on some issues as I am, and eating meat vs not, is one that we aren’t the same page on. I was vegetarian for a few years before kids, and tried a short stint this winter, I have plans to give more effort, and while we still have meat, its very limited. My kids are that much happier.
What I always find interesting is that everyone is happy to preach how you need your meat, but as soon as you have a health problem, the doctors are saying - “out with the red meat”- heart, cholesterol, etc. If its so important to have, then why when we are ill (from it) that we need to remove it from our diet. Just a rambling away there.
10
2007
I enjoyed reading your journey to greenness. I will write my own someday. Good idea!
Your comments on living in the hotel suite and being very happy really struck a chord with me. When we first moved out where we live now, we had to live for six months on what we could fit in our minivan. There are four of us, including a baby and toddler at that time. People thought we couldn’t do it, but we did, and I was so blessed by living simply.
When we moved into our current home and got all of our stuff back from storage, it was completely overwhelming. I had our helpers move most everything to the basement or leave things in boxes and pushed them against walls, and to this day (almost two years later), about half of our stuff remains there. We have slowly unpacked things, and have found ourselves “needing” them again. At the same time, things are more cluttered and spread out now.
I’m moving back toward the minivan lifestyle…only what we need. At a time when most families would be expanding and accumulating (I’m pregnant with our third child), I’m seeking to simplify and get rid of clutter. It’s so gratifying. I pray the Lord helps me to get it all done before this child arrives!
10
2007
My green story is listed on my blog…where I also have been documenting it along the way!
http://megancrow.wordpress.com/2007/03/16/my-green-story/
10
2007
Hello,
We would like to do an interview with you about your blog for
www.BlogInterviewer.com . We’d like to give you the opportunity to
give us some insight on the “person behind the blog.”
It would just take a few minutes of your time. The interview form can
be submitted online at http://bloginterviewer.com/submit-an-interview
Best regards,
Mike Thomas
10
2007
I’ll have to blog about the simpler/greener journey…that would be fun to reflect on.
Mine all started with realizing I wanted to have a homebirth with my 4th child and through all the researching I began doing it started spilling over onto every other area of my life. I have always been semi-AP with all of my kids and have always been into simple living…probably influenced by my living overseas in Eastern Europe for 2 years.
10
2007
What a wonderful story! I think I’ll get mine up this week sometime! I love coming to your blog and learning new things all the time!! Right now we are downsizing too, as in getting rid of junk! We’ve lived unpacked for the last 8 months due to certain circumstances and so obviously we don’t miss what’s been packed away! So, we are going through and slimming down the boxes! We’ve already gone from 12 to 6 in just one room!!
10
2007
Sara, that was an amazing post and as usual you continue to inspire me. I’m so happy that there are other people out there who believe in simple/green living and also have a deep passion for Christ. So many times we find ppl who are Christians that don’t care about the earth/environment at all, and then we find people who are passionate about the earth, but aren’t believers. I think it is so wonderful that you and Matt are following your hearts and God’s call and living your dreams. I know that God will truly bless you as you travel and will give you many opportunities to worship and lead people.
God Bless!!!
Melanie
10
2007
Our journey: http://theviewfromhere.wordpress.com/2007/07/10/green-journey/
10
2007
I started reducing my ecological footprint in 2005 after taking a Sustainable Living course at the University of New Hampshire. We read the book Radical Simplicity by Jim Merkel. A must, must read for everyone.
I too, am making changes one step at a time and have made considerable progress and will continue. I have taken the principles I learned in the course and apply them in my business. One of the things that I am currently working on and will have available on my website for free is a guide for small businesses to help them reduce their EF.
My blog (http://blog.kamigomarketing.com) blends marketing and my connection to the planet into some interesting analogies and discussion.
One challenge I have is having my family committ as strongly as I have to the concept of EF. Our house is much bigger than we need and I am working toward reducing our utilities to heat and light the house until we can afford alternative solutions, but I am happy to say we have made a 26% reduction in our EF and we have a plan laid out to continue reduce it further.
I enjoy your blog. Keep it up.
10
2007
Hi Sara,
I just found your blog today, courtesy of Emme over at Simple Living who I’ve been following for a month or so. Thanks so much for sharing the particulars of how you reached each point in your journey. I’ve only just begun my “Greening,” but the first entry over at my blog explains my rationale for doing so.
10
2007
Thank you so much for sharing this. I always look forward to reading what you have to say, and it’s really neat to take a look back at the journey (thus far) with you. The natural living choices have all been step-by-step, too - starting wtih cloth diapering!
11
2007
It is hard for me to identify the beginning of my interests in green living and natural parenting.
I grew up in a Reform Jewish family, which meant several things. First, a central element of my religious identity is my obligation to help “heal and repair the world” (tikkun olam). (This is different from some religious traditions, which put more emphasis on an individual relationship with God.)
Second, I was part of a very small minority–less than 1 percent of the Des Moines metro area. So from the time I was three years old and my sister explained to me why we didn’t do the whole Santa Claus thing, I was always are of not being fully part of mainstream American culture. To me it’s normal that my family would do some things that seem unusual to the majority of people.
Third, I was raised to question things and learn the facts before making up my mind about anything. The Jewish tradition, and particularly the Reform Jewish tradition, is a lot about asking questions and considering alternative views. One of my dad’s favorite expressions was, “There is more than one right way.”
I am old enough to remember the energy crises of the 1970s and the ozone hole scare in the 1980s. I remember supporting John Anderson’s proposals to reduce oil consumption during the 1980 presidential campaign, and I remember reading labels in the 1980s to avoid products containing CFCs.
My mother died of breast cancer in 1980 when I was 11, which fueled a lot of my interest in buying food and household products free of harmful chemicals, as well as keeping pesticides and plastic out of my children’s mouths.
In my 20s and 30s, I have increasingly tried to buy local, eat food in season, use my own shopping bags, etc. Cloth diapering was a no-brainer for me–why would I expose my children’s tender skin to dioxins and fill up landfills with disposables?
I would never claim to live simply, having inherited a big house, but my husband and I are conscious about what we buy. To me, buying local and avoiding big-box retail stores are more important than not buying anything new. In fact, I feel it would be unethical for me to buy something from a thrift store if I can afford to buy it new and someone of limited means can only afford it from a thrift store.
Downsizing is a neverending task for me, as I come from a family of savers, and both of my parents died before they had a chance to go through their possessions. We have made some progress, but still have too much clutter around our house. We focus more on reducing our energy consumption.
Thanks for starting this blog, Sara. I can see that you are able to reach many people who would never listen to the typical environmentalist crowd.
11
2007
Hi Sara, I’ve been quietly reading your blog for many months now, I’m new to the blog world. Until I read your blog I had no idea there were so many Christians in the world who genuinely cared about “hippie” stuff. I live in a very small town, and when I get frustrated because I’m riding my bike to work and almost get run over by a giant SUV with a Jesus fish, I feel at peace, and thank God,that there are people like you out there who are hopeful that our small contributions will make the world a better place…Thank you. My green journey started when I was about 14, I was in Whole Foods in Austin. I saw this beautiful woman shopping, she had long dreads, a baby in a sling, and her skin was glowing, she looked very peaceful. I studied what she was buying, tofu, veggies, etc…I knew whatever she was doing, I wanted it. Ever since then its been like slowly peeling an onion, each layer I learn something new and apply it in my life. When I fist started being a vegetarian I ate frozen vegetables and white rice everyday, I’ve come a long way, …God bless you on your journey, Sorry to take up so much space.
11
2007
I posted our journey on my blog. We have been slowly transitioning to this lifestyle for 10 years.
KMH
http://hedgeshappenings.wordpress.com/
12
2007
My husband and I decided to downsize when we realized that having a family was the most important ‘thing’ to us. Instead of buying a huge house and having an equally huge mortgage, we found a small 860 sf house, and have worked to maximize the efficiency of the space. We carpool or walk whenever we can, and try to eat vegan (vegetarian at the very least) whenever possible. Our grocery bills are a fraction of what they once were, we enjoy the extra time we have together when we carpool, and having a smaller space means less time spent cleaning and more time to pursue other interests! We would rather live below our means on and with as little as possible, than extend ourselves to the limit, and not have time for family. Putting God first in all of this has made our journey easier, certainly. It would be impossible to get through the day without first coming to Him with our cares, concerns, and to thank Him for all of our blessings. Best, Cee
12
2007
Thanks for sharing your story. Very interesting, and definately inspiring!
I was always into enviromentalism when I was young. I remember when I was about 7 reading that the disposable diapers used in a year would be able to be stacked up to the moon and back. I tried to persuade my mom to use cloth on my brothers, but she was not convinced. I was a vegetarian from 13 to 18. After I moved in with my husband and became pregnant I started eating meat again though. :/ When we became a family we really started making a lot of small changes: using cloth diapers and household cloth, low-flow toilet and shower, compact flourescents, eating locally and organic- we also cut back to meat only a few times a week, we compost, and even unplugging appliances saves electricity. We don’t live in a huge house now, but we have decided to sell our house. If everything works out we will be moving into the in-laws unused house for a year, and saving. We are going to pursue our dream of having our own homestead. We are looking at yurts, but in reality we will probably live in a trailer while we build a sustainable home. I just always feel like a trailer is a trailer, and a yurt is a *yurt*, lol. Oh, well, whatever saves money, right? My husband is an electrician so he has a fascination with living off the grid. We are definately not ready to quit our jobs, as I am steadily accruing massive amounts of student loans. :0 Maybe someday my DH can stay home and homeschool. Well, this is our plan, but we will see what happens.
12
2007
Ok, here’s our journey!!
http://flipflopmamma.blogspot.com/2007/07/journey.html
13
2007
As always, thanks for the thought-provoking discussion! Here’s my rather unremarkable “journey”…
http://dawnmorning.wordpress.com/2007/07/12/natural-living/
13
2007
And after reading a few of the submitted examples, I felt the need to add part 2:
http://dawnmorning.wordpress.com/2007/07/13/natural-living-pt-2-aka-pre-motherhood-opinions/
Don’t worry, it’s not quite as long as part 1!
13
2007
Sara,
I know you put a lot of thought into this. Remember some good advice a mentor of mine told me (actually in respect to my desire to discipline and have my children show godly character): You have nothing to prove to man and everything to be held accountable by God! I know you weren’t out to prove the “whys” behind your convictions, but surely you’ve had some people rub shoulders with you and strongly disagree along the way… I know I have concerning homebirth and wanting a cob house! haha! Be encouraged - it is the unity and purpose that God gives us through Jesus that is most important, and I’m so glad you said that in your post. I mentioned the positive example your family and your blog is over at Challies.com today. I know you won’t mind, but thought I should tell you.
Have a great weekend!
13
2007
I loved hearing your full story (though, of course, it is still in progress, yes?) Perhaps our green blogs are another chronicle of these wonderful changes over time. I know I want mine to be. Also, for those of us who aren’t going to travel, our blogs go ’round the world. And isn’t that so cool…
13
2007
That is lovely to know. I really appreciate the way you link christianity with environmentalism - it does make sense - and I think has the potential to unite people into a world community.
13
2007
Hi Sara,
I’ve just nominated you for a Bloggers for Positive Global Change Award. Check my blog for details.
13
2007
Love your story! We are beginning our transition to green living and vegetarianism, etc. as a family, and it is difficult at times, but we know that it will be worth it. I love reading about how others have made these changes in their lives- it inspires!! Thankyou!
14
2007
Hi Sara,
I too love your blog and your strong faith in your numerous passions! I am interested to see how this most recent journey turns out on which your family and you have embarked.
My “story” I’m sure is somewhat similiar to others. I had varied childhood experiences due to lots of moving which exposed me to many different viewpoints in the world. I’ve always been into nature and it’s where I feel most peaceful. I became a vegetarian at 13 and a quasi-vegan at age 20. I’ve recycled AND loved God for as long as I can remember. While attending a small Catholic university for my undergrad I took a bunch of theology courses-one of which was basically theological environmentalism, very similiar to what you just wrote about in your blog. However the simplicity part of my life actually really truly started this last winter after watching Blood Diamond and the rest of the story can be found at: http://emcglass.blogspot.com/2007/06/beginning.html along with the rest of my blog. May your journey be blessed and your message continue! Best of everything!
15
2007
Hi Sara,
Oh you sound like us. We are on a journey to downsize. We are cleaning out the house and then we are selling it and moving into a small house. I look forward to reading more.
Hugs,
Elizabeth
16
2007
Just popping in to invite you over to Seedlings today. The Farm Bill is up for discussion very soon and we who care about sustainable living might want to give our voice towards its revision. (Info on how to contact our representatives and senators on this is provided in today’s post.) Sorry to be off-topic here, but it’s a time sensitive thing. Hope you are doing well!
16
2007
Oh, and if there’s any possibility you could get the word out before tomorrow, in a post of your own, that would be so magnificent. The whole issue of small farms and sustainable farming just aches for support, doesn’t it?
17
2007
Hello Sara! Great post, great idea you seem to be full of them! Visit my story @ http://OneGreenDream.blogspot.com Thanks!
17
2007
PS if you read the post below my story there is a link for everyone to send a letter to your local news paper about the upcoming farm bill!!! PLEASE CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
18
2007
Sara - without realizing it, you have been an inspiration to me and my desire to live a green life. I have a long ways to go but I feel so good about the changes I have made and feel like it’s a spiritual journey. I found your website months ago and took time out each day to read your archives. Each time I would have a question in my mind I would come to your site and do a search. I feel such a connection with the Lord, the earth and my family since I started down this road. I have always tried to live simply and continue to simplify but it seemed that as hard as I tried I felt like a piece of the puzzle was missing. Now I don’t because I’ve been able to take simplifying to a new level and it’s opened up a whole new world to discover and one that feels so right.
I don’t get a buzz from shopping anymore, I get a buzz from saving and simplifying. Living green gives me a sense of living in awareness and gratitude. I learned how to make my own laundry soap, I stopped using all the chemical cleaners and instead of 10 bottles in my cupboard I now have one organic bottle of cleaner and it does everything. I line dry our clothes (is there anything better than the fresh smell of clothes that have hung out on a line?
and even though we don’t have curbside recycling I have bins in our garage and we take everything to a recyling center. My m-i-l helped me make the most beautiful/simple cloth shopping bags and I try and buy organic and local. I think one of the biggest/different steps I made was to stop using toilet paper and use cloth - you were instrumental in that change for me - thank you!! I have commented to friends how much I love your site and the way in which you live your life. I’ve tried to explain that even through the computer you have a light and a vibrancy about you, as do your husband and beautiful Bella. I love your photographs as I am into photography as well - your photographs radiate the joy that you feel for life.
I think children have such a strong sense of caring for the earth and my girls took to this like ducks to water! Next up for me is to try and eat healthier and to get a compost pile set up in our garden. Just know that to me and my little family you have made a difference - thank you for sharing your zest for living. I am so excited about this new path for your family and look forward to reading all about your travels.
19
2007
Thank you for sharing your daily adventures & how you got to where you are today. It has been a long time coming for myself… my journey http://love2bgreen.blogspot.com/
20
2007
I’ve nominated you for a Bloggers for Positive Global Change Award!
You can get the details on my posting at http://emcglass.blogspot.com/2007/07/bloggers-for-positive-global-change.html
20
2007
What a great post! I’ve always been a bit crunchy when it comes to western medicine (natural births, breastfeed, go easy on the medication, chiropractic and acupuncture before pill-popping, eating part-time vegetarian), and I stumbled on simple living a few years ago when I was at a totally overwhelming stage in my life. My husband was in his last year of seminary, and I was working full-time to support us and trying to nurture my fledgling freelance career, plus our 18-month-old daughter. It was one of the most trying times of my life, and when I was assigned to write a story about people who had simplified, I was intrigued.
Sure, I suspected that the people I was going to interview were all sort of freaky and that they hated TV and rode bikes everywhere and would look down on me for my book collection, but I was totally wrong. They were normal, only better, because they all had their priorities straight.
That’s when the lightbulb clicked on for me, and that’s when I started rethinking my own lifestyle. I knew that a lot was wrong with how we were living, but I hadn’t had the tools to fix it. I started my own life makeover, focusing on what was important to me (my faith, my family, my writing) and discarding the stuff that wasn’t (the stuff, the stuff, the commitments I couldn’t handle).
A year ago I started a blog called The Smart Woman’s Guide to a Simple Life, where I post something weekly about making a small change to get on the path to simplicity. It keeps me thinking–hard–about my priorities, and it helps me come up with story ideas for the mainstream media. For example, I wrote a feature story for Health magazine on hobbies, a long-forgotten pastime of too-busy women. But, that said, mainstream media isn’t always ready for what I have to say. I like to look at the root of the problem, to go deep and figure out what’s really wrong. Magazines like to offer quick 5-minute fixes. So it’s a work in progress, but even if I can’t always sell the idea to Redbook or Family Circle, I’m happy to explore ideas in my own space.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: don’t let stuff own you. Own your stuff, and you’ll have time for what’s really important–for me, my lovely family.
21
2007
I cut my “simplicity teeth” in the 1970s reading More With Less and then we moved to a small interior village in Irian Jaya, Indonesia to be linguistic missionaries. The simple life style has always appealed to me although sometimes I have “lost my way”. Now, nearing retirement and being empty nesters, we’ve made the decision to have less and enjoy more. We moved 2 weeks ago and have downsized AGAIN.
I agree that Christians should be the people in the forefront of caring for God’s creation. I enjoy reading your blog. If you get out to Southern CA, stop by!
My blog is mostly about knitting, but it’s also my journey to peace and simplicity.
21
2007
Sara,
Thanks so much for sharing your story- mine’s still ongoing, and many of my “steps” have been encouraged as of late by you!
(Confession time: I’ve switched to cloth diapers, am thinking of cloth wipes, am about to buy cloth napkins for our new home overseas, and -gulp- am even inwardly considering cloth t.p.) WHOA! I feel like a neon green-y!
Blessings,
Jess @ Making Home
22
2007
Oh, of course you own a Westy. Of course you would. I hate you. No, not really. I’m just pooping green, I’m so envious.
Oh, is that not what you meant by *green*? Oops.
Seriously, thank you for being such an encouragement to me!
22
2007
You go girl! How exciting! You are an inspiration to us all!
22
2007
I am new to this blogging thing. Sorry. I wanted to leave my blog address and I am struggling to figure it out. Oh well!
DirtDiversJourney.wordpress.com
23
2007
So, I am a little late in the game, but I added my going natural story to my blog today. You can go check it out at http://vintageremedies.wordpress.com/
Thanks for the inspiring story. I loved reading about everyone’s journeys
24
2007
I was just wondering if you ate a vegetarian diet during your pregnancy and and if you might have some resources that you could recommend. Also if sometime you might be able to post about having an “eco friendly” pregnancy and child rearing. I mean obviously there is cloth diapering and sling wearing but I’m sure there is so much more to think about. Like sippy cups, i know you don’t use plastic but do they make other kinds? I don’t know. Things like that. Maybe it could be a series.
Sorry if thats an awfuly big wish list, but THANKS!
27
2007
I’ve been reading you for a while but never really commenting. Wanted you to know that I nominated you for the Blogger Reflection Award.
1
2007
A good article and an excellent site!
My site is mostly a religious one, but I have posted a few articles on green issues such as this the recent ones by philosopher SH Nasr and some early posts here:
http://cyclewalabanda.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html
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