Row Katie, Row! Almost finished!

Sixty-one (61!) days of rowing alone in the Atlantic ocean and Katie is nearing the coast of French Guiana! It's hard to believe that the girl I met back in November, is the girl in that boat.   It's hard to believe that the boat I saw in November, is the trusty vessel that has carried her all these days.

I admire her in so many ways. Reading her twitters and updates show what an amazing person she truly is! Alone at see for 61 days and her humor never falters, she is in awe of the nature around her, and despite the aches and pains, seems like she is having a world of fun.  Her website explains it all. Click on RowForWater to find out all about Katie and her personal trek to help fund safe drinking water projects! Go Katie!

My co-worker (who? whom? has been instrumental in the logistics of getting her vessel to Dakar & back) updated us yesterday with Katie's final destination.  Instead of French Guiana, they are now aiming for Georgetown in Guyana.  It will add at least another 10 days of rowing for Katie.  I wonder how she feels about that.  I wonder if I would be ready to go back to our imperfect world after seeing all the beauty she has along this journey.

Like the cool sea turtle...

or the resident dorados...

or gorgeous sunsets every night...

What a fun and wild trip to take on.

Godspeed Katie!

(ALL photos taken by Katie Spotz)

Friday Food Frolic! The Fizzy MeMo

Our family's take on homemade soda.

The little ladies love that it's sweet and fizzy.

It's so easy to make that they can practically do it themselves!

The Fizzy MeMo

Ingredients:

(try to find organic versions)
2 cups grape juice
2 cups cranberry juice
2 ¼ cups cold sparkling water

Directions:
1. Mix the cranberry, grape juice

and sparkling water in a pitcher.
2. Add ice cubes.

3. Cheers!

From Yogurt Tub to Trinket Collector!

This is an easy one and will take maybe 15 minutes to complete!

Supplies:

Yogurt tub (or any plastic tub)

pretty paper

glue/double stick tape

stickers

scissors

ribbon

knife

Directions:
Lid:
1. Trace around lid on paper.
2. Cut out and glue or tape to top of lid.
3. You will then cut an 'X' in the container. 

               This will allow toys/shells/beach glass to go in, but not tumble out!

Container:

1. Cover container with paper. 
2. Poke two holes on opposite sides.
3. Decorate container with stickers, glitter glue, etc.
4. Take the ribbon and poke through each hole.
5. Tie a knot on the inside that is bigger than the hole.
6. Put lid on container.

Voila! Your recycled container is done!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 02.24.10

Every child comes with the message

that God is not yet discouraged of man.

                                                                   ~Rabindranath Tagore

Friday Food Frolic! Garden Pasta Salad

In a good year, we can successfully grow most of the veggies in our own garden.  My girls like to pick the veggies and help make the salad.  In a year that the deer help themselves, our local market supplies all the organic veggies we need for this salad.

I like to use Newman's Oil & Vinegar dressing. It's all natural and tastes homemade, so while not organic, it's a great time saver.  Sometimes Meira will want cheese in it and sometimes not, so I left that optional in the recipe.  It makes a great school lunch - filled with protein and veggies and grains - and doesn't need to be heated, so it sits well all morning in a thermos.

Garden Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1 box of tri-color pasta

1/4 cup chopped red pepper

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

1/4 cup chopped yellow pepper

1/2 cup thinly sliced & peeled cucumber

1/2 cup sliced green olives

1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced

1 stalk chopped celery

shredded parmesan or mozzarella cheese (optional)

1 bottle Newman's Own Olive Oil & Vinegar dressing

Directions:

1) Boil pasta according to directions on box. 
Rinse & drain under cold water.

2) Mix all veggies in a large bowl.

3) Pour dressing over mixture,
add cold pasta and mix well.

4) Chill (and add cheese, if using) before serving.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom ~ 02.17.10

"People are like stained-glass windows.

They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,

but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty

is revealed only if there is light from within."

                                                                 ~Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

For the Love of Teeth!

In general, throughout our lives, we go through a lot of toothbrushes.  Lately, I've been thinking about how to make this part of our hygiene a little more eco-friendly.  Everytime I brush my teeth or help my girls do their's, I think, "I need to find better toothbrushes that won't be super expensive and are good for our earth." And then I promptly forget until the next brushing of the pearly whites.

This weekend, we took a trip out to Trader Joe's.  While walking down one of the aisles, my little Morgi found a whole section of toothbrushes. Being the lover of teeth brushing that she is, she asked if she could have one. I read it over and checked the price ($2.99-not too bad) and put four in the cart.

The toothbrushes are by Preserve Products. I haven't researched any other eco-friendly brushes at this point to compare them, but these totally fit the bill.  Conveniently priced, locally located and 100% good-for-the-environment.

       *100% recycled handles made from yogurt cups!
       *BPA free!
       *Made in the USA!
       *100% recycleable when sent back to Preserve!
       *Fun colors!
       *Comes in a wood-based plastic traveling case!

See how exciting brushing your teeth

with an eco-friendly brush can be?!