Saving the World One Bag at a Time?

Boo to Dinky Plastic Grocery Bags

I am a big fan of recycling.  I am also a big fan of reusable shopping bags.  My mom bought cotton shopping bags from Target approximately 12 years ago, way before it was trendy or cool to bring your own bags.  The reason, you ask? She hates plastic bags.  Not because my mom is an environmentally conscious hippie, but because those dinky little plastic bags didn't hold very much.  You would end up with a million bags after the weekly grocery run and having to carry all those dinky bags into the house was no picnic.

Courtesy of hipsterchic.com

So I have faced ridicule for bringing my own bags and watching people at the store get furious about packing them for quite some time now.  But today, the reusable bag is this year's trendy free giveaway and somewhat hip accessory.  

However, there are a few problems (besides the most difficult of remembering to take them to the store!) with these bags that hopefully everyone can take notice of, and help fix so the bags serve their real purpose: helping the environment...

Problem #1

Using reusable bags for food products makes them very susceptible to bacteria.  You know when you bring chicken, or other meats, or maybe some veggies home, things can easily leak in your bag.  The bags are often on the floor (and if it is like mine, it is totally dirty right now), stuffed in your car, or in a random place in your kitchen.  This study, conducted by researchers at the University of Arizona, found loads of harmful bacteria in them.  I am normally not that concerned about bacteria/germs, but recognize that anytime you transport raw meats there is a risk you can get ill.

Solutions to Problem #1

Fret not my environmentally conscious friends.  The study also revealed that simply washing your reusable bags eliminated nearly all the bacteria!  So next time you wash your kitchen towels, toss in your reusable bags.  Also, don't eat any unpackaged food directly out of the bags.  I.e. if you have a fruit or vegetable in the bag without a plastic covering, make sure you wash it before you eat it.

Problem #2

Some of these reusable bags don't really help the environment all that much.  According to the Wall Street Journal, many of these bags are made with plastic and shipped from China, causing tons of energy, fossil fuels and water to be used in the manufacturing process.  And, in some cases, the bags are made of substances that take even longer to decompose than the dinky store plastic bags. 

Solutions to Problem #2

Check what the bags are made from.  Choose bags with high recyclable content and don't impulse buy the bags at the checkout.  You can also always purchase cotton bags which avoid the plastic problems, but still require energy to make. 

Problem #3

According to the New York Times some of the plastic bags are made with lead.  This is a problem because of the vast number of health problems associated with lead, and the close proximity of this chemical to food.  According to the article there is no immediate health risk to the public, so don't freak out too much.

Solutions to Problem #3

Not sure yet.  Again, maybe purchase cotton or canvas reusable bags, and until then, make sure you stay alert to any recalls for certain brands of bags.

So what do you do if you want to continue using reusable shopping bags (which you definitely should do!)?  Wash them, buy high quality bags, and try not to worry too much :)

How successful are you at remembering to take your bags with you to the store?  Any tips for changing your bag behavior?

-Wednesday is on the Horizon!

Miscellaneous Monday

Everyone wishes Mondays were more fun.  The weekend is behind us and the only thing you have to look forward to is.... Tuesday.  Not all that exciting.

But starting today, I present Miscellaneous Monday.  A collection of random tidbits from books, the web, happenings in town, and stories/facts I have been told.  Lets get started...

• For all the Harry Potter fans out there, it appears J.K. Rowling is NOT going to write any more Harry Potter books.  I thought this was obvious, but maybe some people think J.K. Rowling is like Brett Favre....
• In the book Manners, by Kate Spade, she addresses the topic of gift giving.  As a reminder for this holiday season, chat with your friends you hope/want to exchange gifts with.  No one likes to be surprised when they are presented with a present but haven't purchased a gift.  Take the time to figure out who you will be exchanging with so you can purchase/make something thoughtful.
• Get ready to make your Thanksgiving meals early, but not too early.  According to the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), if you buy a fresh turkey, make sure you don't get it more than 1-2 days before you plan to cook it.  Check with your local butcher about ordering a turkey to have it on hand for Thanksgiving Day. 
• Apparently Jessica Simpson is now engaged.  While her nuptials are unimportant to me, I know many of us are at the time of our lives when our friends are getting engaged.  Instead of just commenting on Facebook, go the extra step and send a handwritten note.  Never underestimate the joy a person has when finding a handwritten note in the mailbox.
• For an easy dinner try this recipe for turkey burgers.
• For many great recipes, take a look at the Lean Green Bean, written by a friend from college.  She has detailed recipes and lots of pictures!

If you have something that should be posted on Miscellaneous Monday, let me know.

-Looking forward to Tuesday!

Pumpkin Wednesday, on Thursday

Yesterday I was away from home until late and unable to post for Pumpkin Wednesday.  But I love Pumpkin and Pumpkin Wednesday so much I just had to make up for it today.

First and foremost on Veteran's Day we must say thank you to all those who have served and those who are engaged overseas protecting our freedom.  I know a few people currently serving and want to specifically thank Jason Dozier and Robert Riehl for all their hard work and dedication to protecting America.

Pumpkin says Thank you soldiers!

In honor of veterans and current service members, tonight's post is about their pets.

In Afghanistan, dogs provide more than just comfort to those men and women serving in the armed forces.  These Military Working Dogs (MWDs) serve a variety of purposes and are often used to sniff out bombs and other explosives.  This article highlights the important work these dogs and their handlers do to help keep soldiers safe.  

The SPCA, through a program called Baghdad Pups, helps soldiers in Iraq bring home animals they befriended during their service.  Bringing an animal home from a foreign country is certainly quite a task, and several organizations, including the SPCA, help navigate the legal and practical challenges of getting a dog or cat back into the United States.  At this point in time however, it seems that there is not a formal program set up for individuals who want to bring home an animal from Afghanistan.  The SPCA advises service members who want to bring home an animal should contact them directly.  There are also a few other charities helping rescue animals and a San Diego shelter bringing dogs home from Afghanistan.

When someone is deployed, they often have no one to look after their pets.  A nonprofit organization in Arkansas has set up a foster network to take care of service members pets while they are away, protecting our country.  Guardian Angels for Soldiers' Pet will find someone to foster a service man or woman's pets, ensuring these brave individuals have their loving dog or kitty to come home to.

Again, thank you for those that have served and thank you to all those serving and putting their life on the line for us.

Happy Veteran's Day

-Almost to the weekend!

Taco Tuesday

To begin, I am sort of bragging, but my boyfriend and I passed the Ohio Bar Exam and were sworn in on Monday.  Now me and 900 or so others are about to start our careers as Ohio attorneys!  Obviously I will keep from discussing anything legal in the blog :)

Tim (my BF) and me in Columbus with our certificates of admission!

Moving on to more important things.....

Tex Mex food is probably one of the easiest types of food to prepare.  Don't get me wrong.  I appreciate traditional Mexican cuisine, but I know that I don't have the knowledge or skills to do real Mexican food justice.

For my take on the taco night I decided to try a few new things to spice things up.  The usual taco night for us consists of  ground turkey or strips of chicken, cheese, some veggies, salsa and sour cream.

First, I made my own refried beans.  I was reading an article today which said to be careful of the canned version of refried beans because they usually contain lard.  Lard definitely has a place in traditional cooking, but for the everyday meal at my house it's best left out.  Here's the recipe I ended up using.

Refried Beans

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 white onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• a few grinds of fresh black pepper
• 15 1/2 ounce can pinto beans with liquid

Heat the two tablespoons of oil olive and add the onion, and cumin until everything gets lightly caramelized.  While the onions are heating, put the pinto beans in the food processor and pulse them until they are mashed and smoothish.  Head back to the pan and add the garlic, cooking until fragrant.  Add your beans in and stir often.  You will cook the beans for about 5-6 minutes, but don't let them burn or get crusty.  Add the salt and pepper in to taste.

I also tried to get fancy with the traditional soft taco shell and make it look more like a taco bowl.  I didn't want to fry the taco shell so I baked them in the oven.  I preheated the oven to 350 degrees and placed the shells in ramekins.

This is a ramekin

This is a ramekin with a soft tortilla shell in it

I ended up with some cute little tortilla bowls after about 10-15 minutes in the oven.  I also turned the shells over (on a baking sheet) to make sure the bottoms got crispy too.

Overall it was a nice way to spice up taco night, and a fun way to eat tacos!

How do you "spice up" taco night?

-Looking forward to a wonderful Wednesday!

Pumpkin Wednesday

Welcome to another wonderful Pumpkin Wednesday!  Pumpkin is so glad you stopped by to the check the blog!

I hope you are enjoying the blog!

I heard on the radio this morning that tomorrow marks three weeks until Thanksgiving!  I can't believe how quickly the fall has sped by and how quickly the Christmas season is approaching. And, of course, Christmas means family, church, tree, ornaments, cookies and of course, shopping...

This year, budgeting for Christmas will be an important step to making it through the season without the typical holiday debt.  In the past we have all been guilty of spending more simply because we put our purchases on plastic.  The number of people swiping credit cards may be decreasing, so follow the trend of many other Americans who are choosing debit/cash, or using their credit cards more wisely.

However, holiday shoppers who plan ahead and get started early may be able to snag some great deals on those special holiday gifts.  The Cleveland Plain Dealer published an interesting article about how shoppers have a bit of an advantage this season.  Because retailers are also in a tough spot and looking to bring in consumers, expect to find more chances to save.  Some of the strategies included comparison shopping online now and identifying products so you can watch for the best prices and how to "stack" multiple coupons together.

Consumer Reports also came out with an article about holiday shopping traps to avoid.  It wisely reminds customers NOT to purchase store based warranties, and to be careful when giving gift cards because they are not guaranteed if the creditor/retailer goes bankrupt.

My advice before you even start to shop, is make a list of people you are giving gifts to, and a list of what you hope to get for them.  The more planning you do, the less likely you will be enticed into buying a random item for your family member/friend/significant other.  There is no shame in setting a limit on what you will spend, especially if your gift giving is thoughtful!  (Joann Fabric anticipates hiring around 3000 workers because of the increase in the number of people who will be making gifts!).  So when you have some spare time, make a chart, and don't hesitate to get looking for deals online!

I know I'm starting early, but what is your strategy for holiday shopping?

-Looking forward to a wonderful Thursday!

Day One of November

I can't believe October is over! But before all was said and done, I did get a chance to participate in the Halloween weekend festivities.

We were at a wedding Friday and Saturday (posting about that tomorrow) but last night I sat out on the front porch and handed out candy to trick or treaters!  There were so many cute small children in adorable costumes, and parents excited to take the kids out.

The only issue I had was the lack of kids, and teenagers saying "trick or treat."  So many just walked up onto the porch and opened their bags.  I felt old because I automatically went to "kids these days just don't understand" so tell me, was the lack of "trick or treating" just a phenomenon on my street?

Besides reminiscing about the good ol' days, I have been doing some cooking.  Last night because it was freezing, I wanted something filling, if not downright heavy... so I found this recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com for a Pasta Bake.  The finished product was tasty and my changes were adding more sauce, I used about 1.5 jars, adding garlic, onion, and oregano to the ground turkey, and using regular instead of whole wheat pasta.  A really easy recipe that will last you for a few days of at work lunch.

Delicious and Hearty

As a quick reminder, don't forget to vote tomorrow!  It's a pretty important mid term election, so make sure your voice is heard!  If you live in the greater northeast Ohio area here is the voter guide published by the Plain Dealer.

-Looking forward to a wonderful Tuesday and an exciting night of election coverage!

Halloween Time

I'm out of town at a wedding this weekend, but I need to share some Halloween fun!

In anticipation of the holiday I'm passing along an excellent website of kitty Halloween costumes (thanks Emily!)

Look for more Halloween fun tomorrow!

Yay for the weekend!

(And congrats to all the new Ohio lawyers!)