Embracing the Planet: It's Not Us and We, It's You and Me

This month I will be posting each Saturday on ways to embrace the planet and show appreciation for nature and this place we are blessed to call home, while still enjoying life.  Each post will shed light on ways to move toward a "greener" lifestyle and also present a challenge.  I will also recommend several articles and books along the way that have motivated me to make changes personally.

Many people use the word "we" or "us" when it comes to respecting the planet.  While I agree the issue is a collective one, these pronouns are inclusive and tend to be used to make everyone feel better and that certainly isn't what this world needs right now.  The truth is that it is most definitely a "me" problem and yes, it's also a "you" issue as well.  There is a difference between saying "We need to use less plastic" vs. "I need to use less plastic."  The first does not fully recognize the responsibility we have as individuals and the latter truly acknowledges that personal action is necessary.  For some reason, we have a really hard time admitting our weaknesses.

Evan and I recently took our delayed honeymoon to the Dominican Republic.  Absolutely wonderful and we would highly recommend visiting, I will share bits and pieces over the next few weeks. :)  The resort's beach was stunning.  Sounds pretty amazing right?!  Absolutely, however looking beyond what we paid to see in front of us, there is a much different reality.  One morning we went for a run down the beach and as we traveled further down away from the resorts, the trash on the shoreline became hard to ignore.  Crocks, coolers, flip flops, bottles, you name it...it was all there. At home, I find it difficult to walk past a single piece of trash on the ground, so this was really disheartening.  In all honesty though it was most discouraging to think that these realities are hidden.  Each morning and throughout the day the crews at the resorts comb the beach, so vacationers can see the ocean's and beaches as clean, clear, and healthy; the reality is that they are not this way and it is by all means everyone's issue.

Tracks from the tractor that cleaned the beach
every morning.

The good news is that we can make changes to our lifestyle today that will reduce the risks our planet is facing today, but it will take my commitment and yours.

Five Realities of Going Green

1.  Reducing Is Key

Recycling and reusing is wonderful, yes, but the best solution is reducing the amount we use.  We can reduce the amount of food, plastic, chemicals, etc. that we buy, use, and throw away.  It is both the hardest and easiest way to make a difference.

2.  It Takes Practice.

Living in a world that is driven by consumerism means it takes lots of practice.  For example, when at restaurants we use plastic straws for most glasses served.  At one time drinking from a glass without a straw seemed gross, but then I asked myself, "is it really gross or is that what my brain has been trained to think?"  It has taken A LOT of practice to request drinks without a straw and I am just as healthy as I was a year ago, if not healthier.  As you practice, it will become easier.

3.  It's Not Easy

People won't understand and sometimes you might feel like the "crazy one," but sometimes "the obstacle is the way."  It seems that we would all rather look back and know we considered the risks, made changes, and did all we could rather than ignore the message and do nothing.

4.  It's A Moral Obligation

Despite what many people say, this is not "OUR" planet.  This planet is called home to many different species of plants and animals.  Being conscious of the products and practices we use and how they impact ALL of Earth's life and features is a moral duty.  In some ways we can consider it our rent payment for living here and ensuring it is well taken care of for future generations.  We owe the land, not the other way around.

5. It's Feels Good

When we begin to pay attention to our footprints, we start to notice nature and experience a relationship with it once again.  We have become so disconnected from it, but when we take a moment to sit and listen to the water or watch the birds, we have the opportunity to learn and grow.

This Week's "Embracing the Planet" Challenge:  Learn

Read an article, watch a documentary, or find a book at the library that focuses on ways to better serve our planet.  Knowledge is power and the first step.  Here is a list of some of the recent items I have watched or read.  Hopefully these suggestions will make it a little less overwhelming for everyone. :)

Documentaries!!

"Mission Blue" 

"Food Inc."

"Bottled Life"

Articles & Books!!

"Going Green:  True Tales From, Gleaners, Scavengers, and Dumpster Divers" 

-Edited by Laura Pritchett

"Haitian Farmers Commit to Burning Monsanto Hybrid Seeds"  

-by Beverly Woods

"The Crucial Role Cities Can Play In Protecting The Honeybee."  

-by Rosie Boycott

"The Soil Will Save Us" 

-by Kristin Ohlson

"What Has Nature Ever Done For Us?:  How Money Really Does Grow On Trees."  

-by Tony Juniper

Freezer Meal Workshop: Numero Uno

Eight wonderful ladies joined me the first Sunday of January for my first Wildtree freezer meal workshop and several more joined me the following Sunday too!  I'm not sure I stopped smiling until Monday and I still can't get over how amazing it was to see these busy, hard-working women come into the workshop with so much energy and leave with even more excitement.  I could never put a price tag on that feeling of success.  Not to mention...I not only have eight meals for Ev and I, but I was able to give two meals to friends of ours who just welcomed their first child into the world on Sunday.  It truly was perfect timing.

Here is a little play-by-play.

For this workshop we put together meals from the "Everyday Meals" menu.  The meals included:

• Easy Skillet Jambalaya
• Crockpot Chicken Quesadillas
• Perfect Roast Chicken
• Lemon Rosemary Pork Tenderloin
• Crock Pot Shredded Beef Burritos (I subbed pork)
• Lemon Rosemary Chicken & Sundried Tomato Orzo
• Cajun Shrimp & Red Pepper Fettuccine
• Hearty Italian Meatloaf w/ Marinara Sauce
• Oven Roasted Salmon w/ Lemon Rosemary
• Southwestern Chicken Burgers

Evan and I have had five of the meals so far including the Jambalaya, Cajun Shrimp & Red Pepper Fettuccine, Perfectly Roasted Chicken, Lemon Rosemary Pork Tenderloin and the Crock Pot Shredded Pork Burritos.  The Jambalaya and Burritos had a bite to them, which we enjoyed, but I am happy we didn't choose to add extra spice like the recipe had offered, because then it might have been a little too much for our personal liking.  Although I do think my taste buds have become more accustomed to spicy flavors...I am still that person that asks for "no spice" when ordering Thai.  Evan tasted the chicken and immediately said, "that chicken is mind-blowing."  After hearing that, I had to try it for myself and will confirm that it was "mind-blowing good."  Think savory.

Although this was my first workshop, I have held a couple tastings and I can tell you...I have come a LONG way since my first tasting.  While preparing for my first event there were a few choice words, some sweating, and definitely some self-doubt.  For this workshop, I began preparing about an hour and a half prior to everyone walking through our door, there were no choice words...I might have even danced a little bit to the music that my hubby so graciously put on for the party. ;)  Much smoother.  Keep in mind that when hosting a workshop through Wildtree, the work is much less than being the host and representative.  That being said, the more you do workshops and tastings the less time and energy it requires.

I decided to turn this workshop into a tasting for people who wanted to come over and see the workshop in action and also taste the delicious food!  I set out a few dips including the Dill Dip (fan favorite), Smoked Mozzarella and Tomato Blend, and made guacamole with Chipotle Lime Rub with tortilla chips, veggies, and pretzels.  As always, I had to include the Quick & Easy Beer Bread, which has probably been the biggest hit at the parties I have held (tip:  I use a can of clear soda vs. beer).  The dips take about ten to fifteen minutes total to prepare and then they chill in the refrigerator while I cut up the vegetables and set all of the munchies out.  The bread takes five minutes (maximum) to mix up and then bakes for about 45 minutes to an hour.  It's so nice to greet everyone at the door with the smell of fresh bread.

Two of our test-tasters!

This workshop was smaller, I had four people participating and then one of my friends had decided to  pick up her bundle of Wildtree goodies and go home to put everything together.  She lives about an hour away, so this worked out best for her...next time hopefully I will know soon enough to ship it straight to her and make it a bit easier.  In front of everyone's places sat a Wildtree bundle and tasting guide that describes the company and what distinguishes their products from others on the market.  I had also put the shared ingredients that I was contributing as the host of the event in the middle of the table including eggs, oatmeal, rice, salt, and garlic powder.

This month's promotions!

Once we browsed through the tasting guide (15-20 minutes) and instructions were given, everyone began putting their meals together!  It took about an hour for their meals to be completed.  Afterwards we chatted a bit more with everyone and I gave them their choices for 1/2 off bundles and boom. Done.  It went SO fast.  The workshop began at 2:30 and ended by 5 pm.

My next workshop was the following Sunday, and was smaller again, but awesome for connecting with each person and enjoying the time spent together.  The second workshop took about three to three and a half hours, however we definitely chatted A LOT more, which was actually really nice.

So fun to see such beautiful smiles!

If you are interested in learning more about Wildtree and possibly even participating in a workshop whether it be physically or making the meals in your home, please e-mail here for more information or visit my website at mywildtree.com/mstaubin.  

Stay tuned for the upcoming Thankful for Thursdays series, "Embracing the Planet" that will begin this Saturday.

How to Stay Resolute About Your New Year’s Resolution

How to Stay Resolute About Your New Year’s Resolution

When practiced in a mindful way, gratitude may edge the battle line closer to a New Year’s victory.

The New Year is here, and with it comes an onslaught of gym membership promotions and diet plan commercials. Many folks are determined for this to be the year they hit the gym three times a week and substitute a salad for a burger at lunchtime. I confess the only New Year’s resolution I ever stuck to was drinking more water. Although my skin thanks me for it, sticking to this resolution has not bettered me emotionally in any way. The word “resolution” is rooted in the word “resolute”, meaning “marked by firm determination” (Merriam-Webster). Did I have a firm determination to drink more water? Not really. I only kept on with it because I thought I saw positive changes in my body, which I attributed to my increased intake of H2O. I think this is the case with a lot of so-called “resolutions”. We hold steady with our resolution for a few weeks into the New Year, until that firm determination because a pliable idleness.

            So why does this failure happen year after year to so many people? What happened to our gung-ho attitude and resolute demeanor? I think, in most cases, we do not immediately see the results we had hoped for. We are disappointed with the lack of reward for our hard work and sacrifice. But I do believe there is a way, through regular mindfulness practices, to reach these goals even when the results are hard fought and sorely won.

            Gratitude. This word is closely linked to the word thankfulness, but I like to employ it when thankfulness echoes a bit hollow. I say “thanks” just as much as I say “please”. Saying “thank you” is like a formality, like calling someone “Professor” or “Sir”. Saying “thank you” shows a level of respect for someone, but perhaps not your deepest level of appreciation. This idea of gratitude can play a significant role in keeping your New Year’s resolution. When practiced in a mindful way, gratitude may edge the battle line closer to a New Year’s victory.  

Here is my proposal, tested and endorsed by myself. Whenever it works for you (before or after a workout, at the end of the day, before breakfast), take a few moments to reflect quietly. Shut your eyes and take time to check in with your body. Are you sore from your workout? Are you feeling more or less energized than normal? Focus solely on how your body feels in those moments. Then take a few moments to reflect on what you are grateful for regarding your resolution. Think to yourself, “I am grateful for…” I practice my reflection after a workout in the sauna and usually find myself grateful for the time I devoted that day to improving myself and my wellness. Whatever you are grateful for, take a moment to simply acknowledge it.

This practice may help remind us why we are putting ourselves through these challenges in the first place. Consciously practicing reflection and gratitude may take you closer to your goal of an overall more positive life and help keep that firm determination lasting all year long. 

-EW

Let The New Adventure Begin!

So earlier this week I told you to stay tuned for updates on this new adventure of mine.  I guess you’ve waited long enough…and no, I'm not pregnant.  For those of you who’s thoughts went there I will assure you that a family is in Evan and my plan, but at this time we are very focused on the present.  And of course…getting a puppy in the spring (A girl can dream a little…right?!)

Now let me babble a bit more (please) and I promise I will tell you my new undertaking. :)

Recently, I started reading a new book that I received for Christmas.  And while reading that book I came to a realization;  I am here on this earth to help others.  Now, I know this might seem silly to say, because most of us are working to solve some sort of "problem,” but until recently I'm not sure I knew how wide my own passion for helping others stretched.  I guess I have always thought that my passion lived only in working with children, particularly in the schools.  However over the past two years I have found another passion for living a healthy and balanced life.  When I say a "healthy" and "balanced" life this means focusing on the products we choose to eat and use on our bodies, our physical activity level, as well as how each of these actions affect the environment.  Although I have been reading, watching, and listening to many different perspectives on organic vs. conventional products, farming techniques, environmental concerns, etc,.  Until now, I haven’t had an outlet for sharing this information with others other than Facebook and that just doesn't seem to do the trick.

Now let me introduce to you my new outlet.

It began a few months ago when my mom and I were talking on the phone (shocker there).  She told me that she had bought several food products from one of her coworkers who happens to be a teacher.  She had mentioned this teacher before and how similar we were in terms of the lifestyle we were aiming to achieve.  Well...it turns out that the products she had bought were "organic."  To say my mom was excited is an understatement and she encouraged me to check out the company for not only buying great food products, but to potentially join the team as a representative.  The name of the company is "Wildtree."

So I will be honest and say that I put it on the back burner for a while.  I didn't pay too much attention to it for about a month.  I have been taught to be quite skeptical.  There are times when you find what you think is a legitimate company and soon find out there are ingredients in the product(s) that I would rather not ingest or use on my body.  Now that's not to say that I have perfected our pantry or body products by any means, but I try to stick to companies with good practices and steer clear of ones I have found dirt on through personal research.  Now, when I say research that does not mean reading blog posts, although I do use blogs to supplement my research...blogs are based on opinions. I focus on researching through reading books, lots of articles, and watching documentaries.  

**With that being said while you’re reading this blog please keep in mind that what I believe is based off of my personal experience as well as what I have read, watched, listened to, etc.  What works for Evan and I might not work for you.  I value opinions, so therefore I enjoy taking into consideration others findings as well.  I most certainly want you to do personal research and if you find something questionable about what I support please notify me in a constructive manner.  This blog is ultimately about building a trusting community, and for the sake of the majority I would prefer you all to be independent thinkers. :)

Okay, back to the story…so...my mom kept bringing up Wildtree.  Finally, I budged…sorta.  I started looking for any negative review or article I could find via the Internet.  And guess what.  Turns out I have yet to find it (if you have something, please send it my way via e-mail).  Even articles that I thought (based on the headings) would give me exactly what I needed to dismiss the company turned out to be positive in the end.  After much discussion with my husband and lots of contemplating about whether I could handle it the answer became clear.  So here I am, finally with what I feel will be an amazing outlet for sharing my passion for living a healthy lifestyle.  It has been quite the adventure so far in the month since I began my Wildtree adventure.  Many of you may have doubts and questions, so here are the primary reasons why I chose to represent Wildtree:

1.  Healthier Lifestyles Affect EVERYONE and EVERYTHING.

Your output is based on your input.  So if I eat well and exercise, my mind and body will feel good for a longer chunk of time.  If I eat junk I will most likely feel an immediate happiness, but once the excitement is gone I will be left feeling like the junk I ate.  This is physiological...so definitely not something I am making up.  It becomes a terrible cycle; one that most of us have experienced.  In addition to our own selves, our environment benefits from living healthy.  I think many people have become removed from nature and how we as humans impact it.  We don't see the trash accumulating in the ocean by the hour, we don't see the nutrients and life in the soil and water deteriorating from chemicals by the minute, and we also don't see deforestation in the rain forest by the second...but it's happening.  The products we choose to use directly impact nature.  We are a large, LARGE part of it.  We must change the way we think about our daily choices and how they impact our planet for the sake of our future and our children's future.  Plain and simple.

2.  Wildtree is Convenient  

EVERYONE IS BUSY!!!  Wildtree arrives at your doorstep.  Now I am a huge advocate for grocery shopping, especially with the kiddos for learning purposes, BUT this doesn't completely take away weekly grocery shopping.  It will reduce the time spent in the store, but you will still need to go to the local butcher for meat and cheese as well as the grocery store for produce.  Secondly, with freezer meal workshops, everyone goes home with a cooler full of delicious dishes.  Ten different meals that typically work out to actually be 15-20 meals for a family of four.  Anyone who is busy and happens to cook or share cooking responsibilities in the family can understand that meal planning alone is time consuming.  With Wildtree, someone else is providing the menus, ingredient lists and prepping instructions for you.  I plan to even partner with a butcher to prep and deliver the meats for us.  Another angle you might consider is the habit of eating out.  When it comes to eating out I would say most of us are seeking convenience, but when the freezer is packed with meals that take approx. 20-30 min to cook up, the convenience of opening up the freezer far outweighs going out to eat.

3.  Wildtree is budget-friendly.

My husband is a finance major and we are both (typically) very much in tune with spending.  That being said, food is our downfall.  We LOVE good food (Pizza....I won't even try to justify that addiction).  The unfortunate reality though is that eating well outside of our home is EXPENSIVE.  A freezer meal workshop through Wildtree provides 15-20 meals for a family of four at $3-4/serving.  That beats eating out ANY day even at a low-grade restaurant.

4.  Wildtree Is A Social Occasion

  This past fall I made a lot of meals to put in our freezer.  It has been a blessing to pull out a meal (or two) weekly so that Evan and I don't have to answer the question, "what's for dinner?" multiple times during the week.  The only downside of cooking meals this fall was that the majority of the meals were put together in the company of me, myself, and I.  I was really appreciative of one of my best friends coming to hang with me for a good chunk of the time, but for the most part it was just me.  When someone attends a Wildtree workshop they are in the presence of other people working toward the same goal.  It is a wonderful way to meet new people and/or reconnect and visit with friends and family without losing productivity or immediate family time for that matter.

5.  You Can Earn FREE Food

So let's say Susie decides she has a group of friends who would love to do a freezer meal workshop or tasting party and she wants to hold one at her house, church, the library, etc.  Depending on the number of people who attend her party and order Wildtree products, she earns free food!  That has a positive impact on people's lives.  We can ALWAYS use food and when it's free...even better.

In addition to these five key points, Wildtree was started by a mother who was struggling to find food products that were safe for her children who were allergic to several common ingredients.  Therefore, the company features products that do not contain high fructose corn-syrup, MSGs, GMOs, additives, preservatives, or food dyes.  They are also low in sugar and sodium, as well as have options for people with gluten and peanut allergies.

Now as with most everything there are a few things about Wildtree that I am hoping will improve!  The packaging that I have received my products in is plastic.  I am optimistic that this is something they will improve on as they move forward.  The products are not ALL organic.  Although a good portion of them are organic they are still working on certifying each product.  Yes, they are working on certifying them all.  One of their products that was once "all natural" was recently certified as organic.  This gives me a hopeful heart that they are working toward that goal!  That's about it as far as criticism goes on my end.  Not too shabby!

The Wildtree seasoning and oils all set
for the Sunday's workshop!

My first freezer meal workshop is this coming Sunday and I will be sure to let you know how it goes as well as post some fun pictures!  The menu I am featuring will be "Everyday Meals" which includes the following meals:

Easy Skillet Jambalaya

Crockpot Chicken Quesadillas

Perfect Roast Chicken

Lemon Rosemary Pork Tenderloin

Crock Pot Shredded Beef Burritos

Lemon Rosemary Chicken w/ Orzo

Cajun Shrimp & Red Pepper Fettuccine

Hearty Italian Meatloaf w/ Marinara Sauce

Lemon Rosemary Oven Roasted Salmon

Southwestern Chicken Burgers

If you haven't noticed yet, I have added a "shop" tab to the Thankful for Thursdays homepage.  Clicking that tab will take you to my Wildtree website (mywildtree.com/mstaubin) where you will find lots of information about the company and have the chance to check out the products and order if you would like!  Some of my favorites...Beef Stroganoff Skillet Meal, Hearty Spaghetti Sauce Blend, Rancher Steak Rub, Guacamole Seasoning, and the Quick & Easy Beer Bread Mix.

Questions?  Feel free to e-mail me at thankfulforthursdays@gmail.com or comment below!

If you have experience with Wildtree, please share. :)

A few more reasons to Wildtree!!!