Saving Money, Cooking More, Less Waste

A little over a year now I have been experimenting changing my life in order to take better care of myself, family and the earth better. Two goals were cooking/baking and the purchasing of a water filter. I have been going along, learning more and more recipes, especially delicious soups at the same time filling my glasses with filtered water from the sink. I have been so busy in these projects that I didn't even see what I was accomplishing. As I was jotting down my grocery store list this morning, a huge excitement filled my body.

You see, when living in Florida my list was filled with frozen quick meals, canned food, and packaged cookies, pies, and more. I probably spent $400-$450 a month on groceries. I was cutting coupons for items I would never use but followed the illusion of cleverly marketed package food that most likely not good for any of us. A big thanks to my inspirational friend Veronica and her magnificent garden combined with moving to mountains and reading Michael Pollen books has taking my life on this adventure.

This morning my list for groceries consisted of orange juice, yogurt, milk, cream, lettuce, veggies and fruit (farmers market in winter is hard to buy fresh veggies) and that was about it. I could add crackers on to the list but I JUST found two great recipes for making my own crackers. I can cross that off the list. I looked around my house but I had all the basics stocked up enough to make plenty of meals. That was it! To add to this, I had a coupon for the Almond Milk I use which will save me more money. I now only use coupons for items I will use for sure. Some weeks I do spend more than others, like when I do need whole wheat flour, meats and such, but I can see the changes taking place.

Also, I have not bought bottled water in MONTHS! My filter I invested in for around $20 has saved me a tremendous amount of money and helped me lessen my impact on plastic waste. Every three months or so I have to replace the filter and it only costs $14. I would like to add my animals are in on my experiment. I have changed them over to a much healthier food and I buy it in bulk. So they are eating better as well and I am buying less packaged pet food. I also bought a six pack of Seventh Generation dish soap online for like $18...free shipping. It lasts me for so long and instead of money being thrown down the drain, a healthier soap for the environment is. All of these steps have made a difference in many areas of life.

No doubt, my life is changing, slowly, but who is in a rush? I mean, I cook now. I really, truly cook. I make enough for our family and have plenty for leftovers. I mean, I am no Emeril Lagasse, well, maybe in one aspect. The love of cooking for friends and family. Something tasty, something wholesome, something that brings joy. That is what it is becoming for me. I guess I feel like screaming "I AM DOING IT!"

There is so much more to do and little steps and patience is what it takes. What will I do next? Well, composting is next followed by forming my first ever organic garden. I have my list of items. Tomatoes, Potatoes (Sweet and Regular), Zucchini and some herbs. In my home, instead of throwing my waste into garbage it will be composted now, in preparation for the garden. I will be sticking a rain barrel in this vision as well. It may seem simple to the advanced gardener, but it is big steps for me and we all start somewhere :).

When I leave this planet I want to look back and know I took care of it, lived and loved fully on it and most of all, to let Mother Earth know how grateful I was to call this place home.

And So It Is!!!!

Check out Debbie's homemade Soy Candles at:

Full Circle Candles

Soy Candles vs. Paraffin Candles. Why Is Soy The Way To Go?

I have noticed in my life a great sensitivity I have to paraffin candles mixed with strong perfume fragrances. I love candles so much. I have been burning them for years in my apartments or homes I have lived in. At a younger age I never new what I was burning. I just loved candles. I noticed the black that came off the wicks that sometimes left a dark spot on the walls. Sometimes I would feel congested and would also sneeze a lot when breathing in the perfume scents and soot burning off the wick. I know I didn't know better as when you love a product you just keep on with it. I realize that you can have the things you love in better and healthier ways and of course, in some research later on I found out about lead wicks and the harm in burning paraffin in our home environments.

I now only support using or making bees wax and soy candles combined with eco-burning cotton wicks and either pure essential oils or infused essential oils. What a difference it is for my environment. It is a crisper, cleaner smell, not overbearing in my home, and I know it is burning clean and not polluting my air. I like knowing my husband and daughter are not breathing in harmful toxins into their body or our animal family as well. It is good energy all around. If I do happen to be around a paraffin candle now with strong perfumes I am almost sickened by it as I am detoxed from having them in my home. It is amazing how your body reacts when you change things in the environment around you.

When I started Full Circle Candles I knew I would only make candles out of soy or beeswax...no paraffin would pass my hands. I want to so lessen my dependency on petroleum based products. One of my 2012 resolutions is to really begin to live a more sustainable way and that means supporting and creating products that are less harmful for this beautiful planet we live on. I want to practice this in my own business so I know I am taking care of the people that buy my candles. Little steps in learning help me to create a better environment and to help me step more and more away from unsustainable practices. I have a long way to go, but this little step of using Soy over Paraffin is a lovely beginning to the story.

Below is a little bit of facts on Soy vs. Paraffin and you decide on what you want to have in your home and what you actually support when buying paraffin based candles. And remember, support local, small businesses when you can!!! Farmers Markets too! We can make a difference and help each other! Go to Full Circle Candles to check out some wonderful, healthy candles to burn. And So It Is!

SOY VS. PARAFFIN 

SOY

• Soy wax is made from soybeans and vegetables, both renewable resources.
• Soy wax burns much cleaner and purer as it is all natural, non-toxic, and non-hazardous.
• This wax is biodegradable leading to reduced landfills.
• Soy wax residue can be washed away with warm water and soap. (it is so easy to clean!!)
• Purchasing soy products supports the soy farmers of America, which stimulates our economy and lessens dependence on international resources.

PARAFFIN

• Derived from petroleum, a limited resource
• The burning of paraffin wax contributes to indoor air contamination by emitting petro-chemicals causing soot deposits and carcinogenic particulate matter.
• This wax contains petroleum by-products and additives that inhibit biodegradability.
• Paraffin wax residue is quite troublesome, often impossible, to remove.
• Purchasing paraffin products not only supports our dependence on this crude oil but also supports an industry riddled with environmental faux pas.