Fortune - a gift from the universe

Fortune - a gift from the universe

Fortune crossed over the #RainbowBridge on October 21, 2017. His smile, his love and his presence is missed. #RescueIsMyFavoriteBreed he was abandoned and tied to my old bosses tree with her water hose. When he saw me, he leaped into my arms and was licking my face. It was love at first sight. His fur went from caramel tan to silver. He may have grown old, but his love never did. #AdoptDontShop the love he showed me will stay with me always. It's a lifetime of responsibility. He had an enlarged heart and lung cancer, so his suffering is no longer. He helped my other rescues come out of their shell and be comfortable in their puppy skin. He was a great teacher, he was a great friend and a special boy.... 😔😭🐶

It's almost been 6 months since he's left my family, and I still miss him. Very rarely do we ever meet, get to be adopted by a loved one that touches our soul in such a way. Fortune was that loved one. I didn't know it at the time of taking him to his new home that he was going to be the gift that he was. He was a beautiful spirit that has left my house but not my heart.....

Starting Over~ Staying True

Starting Over ~ Staying True

So, here is the post that I've been trying to figure out how to write.... This is to keep you (my followers posted) and for me to. I've left Bruce and I've moved back to San Antonio, TX. I know that I would give blips into the life that I was sharing with him.

The truth of it, he wasn't the right person for me. I did learn a lot from him and the group that I was working with in Colorado Springs. However, in the wrong that some of the members of the group did (like asking someone else to be the president of The Compassionate Vegan) not their place, or cutting chocolate cake in my face causing me to have a systemic reaction (I'm highly allergic). I've come out of this knowing that I love to create, share, and help. I've learned that I want to always have an open door for my friends to just drop by and share with great company.

So, in this transition and being compassionate to myself, I've allowed to grieve and now I'm looking into a great culinary school where the program focuses on plant-based nutrition, spring of 2014. I'm meeting like-minded new friends and reconnecting with those that I've lost touched with.

While there are so many of us in this world that have found ourselves in this position, the key is to always remain true to who you are. I'm fortunate to have always known I have a strong core value. These are the moments, where being truthful and taking the step back and looking at the big picture is truly important. Talking to my friends have helped SO much. Some of them helped me pack and move cross-country and some have just been there to answer the phone.

The Fairness of Trade

The Fairness of Trade

Today is World Fair Trade Day, and it gets me to thinking (since my mom mentions going to Walmart and the building collapse in Bangladesh), how many really know and understand fair trade.

According to fairtradeusa.org: Fair Trade began modestly in the 1940s when a few small North American and European organizations reached out to poverty stricken communities to help them sell their handicrafts to well-off markets. Later, a fictional Dutch character, Max Havelaar, was developed as an advocate for exploited coffee pickers. Today, Fair Trade is a global effort. Consumers can enliven developing countries, relieve exploitation and promote environmental sustainability by purchasing Fair Trade-labeled tea, cocoa, fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, sugar, honey, wine, flowers, grains and rubber products.



How does this tie into everyday purchases? When we as consumers read the labels "made in ____" fill in the blank, we are making the purchase power of a lifetime. We can say through that purchase that I will make sure this will not go towards the exploiting of the environment, of people and countries. So here are some steps, look for labels that say fair trade. Look for clothing that is made in the USA or call up the companies and ask how their products are made and how they treat their employees.

Getting to the clean of things....

In the process of helping Bruce move into the new place, I brought over my cleaning supplies to help clean his old place. He was impressed with the natural clean smell and how they worked. (He already was cleaning his floors with vinegar, so his carbon footprint is better then most, however his use of bleach and other products leaves much to desire.) So, here is my list of items that I've found works around 2 four legged furry babies and 2 nieces along with the rest of my family....

Method (I LOVE this company! Never tested on animals and biodegradable, plus they have a factory/plant here in America)
Restroom Cleaner: Tub-N-Tile Soap Scum and Stain Remover (Eucalyptus and Mint)
Cleaning the grout-2 parts hydrogen peroxide with 1 part water (wear gloves, may cause irritation. It will stain clothes)

Fridge: I use 10 drops of Grapefruit Essential Oil in a spray bottle with 2 cup water. This keeps the fridge smelling fresh and cuts through any kind of grease, plus it helps with mold control. (Bruce was really impressed with this!)

Here is a recipe my friend Michelle and I use to make my laundry detergent:
1 cup soap flakes (I use olive oil soap-a little on the expensive side, but will last you!)
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax

Soap flakes can be made from grating your favorite pure vegetable soap with a cheese grater (use the smallest grate). Mix the ingredients together and store in a glass container. Use 1 Tablespoon per load (I use 1/2 a Tablespoon) and 2 for heavily soiled laundry, wash in cold or warm water. **For soft water: Use 1 cup soap flakes, 1/4 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. **For hard water (What I had in San Antonio): Use 1 cup soap flakes, 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax. (Borax should not be ingested.
Gloves are recommended as washing soda may irritate skin after prolonged contact; not to be used with silks, woolens or vinyl.)

www.womenandenvironment.org

**Tip: Add 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar to rinse as a fabric softener.
**Tip: For whites: Use hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach. Soak your clothes for 30 minutes in the washer with 1/2 cup 20% peroxide, then launder as usual.
**Tip: I add 3 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil to the dogs bedding/blankets laundry for an extra fresh and it helps repels fleas.

For other articles of clothing I use Method Free and Clear laundry detergent.

For dusting and polishing wood furniture (and my wood hangers) Wood for Good from Method (it smells like almonds). There is also a wood floor cleaner that they sell, as well....

For mopping Squirt & Mop (no bucket is needed and smells like lemon and ginger) I feel that my dogs can walk on the floor and lick their paws without ingesting a toxic that will cause adverse health problems. They are often the first (along with children) to experience damage caused from toxic "cleaning" products.

The First of Many....

So, here I go. My boyfriend said I needed to this. (I got to thinking about it. And, guess what, he may be right.) This blog will be about plant-based diets, veganism, vegetarianism, sustainability, compassion and more. My back story (just like everyone) is one where I shouldn't be as normal as I am. I had an eating disorder, like SO many other girls and boys, it started off with me trying to control the crumbling world around me. Then the disorder took control of me. I will not go into what I used to do-I'm not wanting to give anyone any ideas on how to continue or pursue this. I will talk about how I took back my control (yes, I'm still a control freak-it adds to my charm), and my relationship with food, mother nature, friends, family and loved ones.

I've been posting a Meatless Monday blog for the San Antonio Sustainable Living Group and The San Antonio Environmental MeetUp Group since 2009. I started dating someone new (since January-this year), after being dumped by the guy that I moved to Colorado Springs with.