The Beauty of the Smoky Mountains

While we have the lush valleys all around us where we live in Ohio, I am always in awe of the mountains. Smokies or Rockies, small or big, they are just breathtaking!  So here's a little photo stroll of our recent trip to the mountains. Enjoy!

coming up next: greening up your vacations!

On hiatus! See you in a week or so!

Take a Pledge!

(courtesy of my young preschooler!)

Eco Tip of the Week - Ban The Paper Goods!

So you've nixed the plastics, now it's time to phase out the paper goods, too!  As your supply starts getting low, it's time to start looking for cloth/fabric replacements.  As for paper plate substitutes? Use your dishes or grandma's china!

Or try some of the following ideas:

**Look for sales after holidays on cloth napkins and hand towels.

**Shop secondhand stores.

**Peruse local garage sales.

**Check with mom (or dad), it's amazing what they find in their linen drawer!

**Make your own napkins out of fabric remnants.

**Make your own towels out of old t-shirts & thermal shirts.

The forests will thank you!

Almost Vegan Spiced Oatmeal Cookies

These are by far, my most favorite cookies. Everytime I make them, I tweak the recipe even more!  They are great raw and even better cooked! They make a quick & healthy breakfast or afterschool snack. To up the protein, you can substitute a little flour for a couple spoonfuls of protein powder (my kids can always tell, so I usually skip it).

Spiced Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 cup 50/50 Smart Balance Butter Blend**

1/2 cup Agave Nectar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 tbsp. wheat germ

1 cup coconut*

1/4 cup crushed pecans*

1 cup oats

1/2 cup multi-grain oats

*optional

**substitute the butter blend and you'll have a full-on vegan treat!

1. Beat on medium speed until blended: butter, agave, baking powder & soda, cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla.

2. Beat in flour & wheat germ.

3. By hand, mix in: coconut, pecans, and oats/muli-grain oats.

4. Press into a 9x9 pan OR

5. Make into 1 inch balls (pack like a snowball!), press flat and place on cookie sheet.

6. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 9-11 minutes. 

7. Enjoy!

Oh the PAIN of poison ivy!

Right now my oldest is dealing with the awfulness that is poison ivy. On her TOES! Flip-flops and woodsy areas don't always mesh well, even if it is in the middle of a city, during a festival, on a well-trodden foot path.  Poor thing!

So we thought with summer starting, now would be a good time

for a post on poison ivy! If you’re anything like us, you spend a lot of time outdoors.  And if you’re one of the unlucky 50% of the population who is allergic to poison ivy, then you have a good chance of having to deal with the itchy ooziness of it at some point this summer.

Here’s what you can do if you’ve been exposed:
The first line of defense is to heavily rinse the area with water immediately.
Then rinse with rubbing alcohol.
Do not use a washcloth or it will just spread the urushiol oil all around.  Urushiol oil is the toxin in poison ivy & oak that causes the blistery, itchy rash on your skin.

Next, you have a few options. Keep trying until you find one that works.
1) Drying agents: use until the oozing stops.
    *Calamine lotion (Zinc & Iron Oxides together)
    *Zinc Oxide (think baby bum ointments/some sunblocks)
    *Witch Hazel
    *Baking Soda
    *Colloidal Oatmeal

2) Oral Medicines: an added measure for if the itching gets awful.
    *You can try Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine maleate)
    *or Benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride)
~~~just remember both can make you VERY sleepy!!~~~

**edited to add - what worked best for us this week was frequent foot soaks in warm water & baking soda and spraying the rash with a white vinegar & water mix.  Great tip from my sister-in-law!

Are You My Mother?

The House Finch eggs have hatched!

I noticed mama bird was sitting a little higher than normal,

so when she flew away we snuck a peek in the nest.

And this is what we saw!

Mother Nature at her finest!