Nothing like Tyson...

..and all of the rest of the big meat-packers for that matter. Just when I think that I have heard it all than I read another article about how the big four (Tyson, Cargill, JBS, and Smithfield) have committed another sin which  consequently is overlooked by most of the public and the government. Honestly, the abuse of animals is not even the half of it. Try human rights! If some one asked me why I don't eat meat from the store I would tell them that it was because I believe in human rights!!

Okay, enough of my rants. Just read it for yourself.


How the meat industry turned abuse into a business model 

Big Meat vs. Michael Pollan

The Spam Factory's Dirty Secret

So if all of that has you all depressed you can read about a Zero-Packaging Grocery Store. See, there is still some hope after all.

Happy Wednesday,

CCosner

Memories

I cannot believe that this is the last week of June already! It is pretty insane. I feel like I should have accomplished more than I have in the last couple weeks. Next week I will be going to work at a summer camp in the mountains. I am very excited about it!

I have been spending the last week or so trying to clean the last of my stuff out of my parents house. I have a lot of high school mementos and childhood things that I feel like I don't need. It is had definitely been a bit of a nostalgic trip. I cam across a bunch of 8th grade graduation cards. Weird. In less than a year I will be graduating from college. Am I wiser? Maybe. Have I learned anything? Debatable.

Cleaning out this kind of stuff can be challenging for me honestly. I keep wondering if the person that gave it to me even remembers giving it as a gift. Some items have not seen the light of day since my family moved almost eight years ago. That says a lot. I find that some days I am not as emotionally ready to part with some of the items. It is challenging finding that balance.

In fact yesterday was one of the most difficult days. I had stumbled upon some old writing from high school in some journals. I was feeling really down and not really knowing what I am doing with my life. So I am feeling sad and emotional and then my former high school boyfriend drops by. I wanted to crawl into a hole. It was probably the single most awkward thing ever. It is amazing how much memories and the past can change how we feel in the present.

On another note I compared my past two years budgets. I spent about $2,000 less this year than I did last year! I am happy to say that I am going to work even harder this year to spend even less. This past year was not particularly challenging so I cant wait to see if I can do better! The interesting thing about all of this is that most people would be shocked by how little I spend anyway. But I think that it is very important to live below your means for a while. That is the joy of being young.

Happy Tuesday,

CCosner

Recipe: Naan (Indian Flatbread)

I am currently trying out  this recipe. I added some whole wheat flour to it to make it a little healthier. I will see how it goes. Pictures? Maybe? 
-C 

Source: All Recipes

Naan

Ingredients

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 1/2 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (optional)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes, until frothy. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface, or until smooth. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let it rise 1 hour, until the dough has doubled in volume.
2. Punch down dough, and knead in garlic. Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll into balls, and place on a tray. Cover with a towel, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
3. During the second rising, preheat grill to high heat.
4. At grill side, roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle. Lightly oil grill. Place dough on grill, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and turn over. Brush cooked side with butter, and cook until browned, another 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from grill, and continue the process until all the naan has been prepared. 

Weekly Links

Some links for your enjoyment while I try to find the time to write a real post:

I have been wanting to make pickles very very badly. But the growing season is very delayed here due to cold weather and so I have to wait. I think that this pickle recipe looks especially good.

Simplifying your life can be key to feeling accomplished I think. This article has some great tips.

OMGosh....I want to make this salad....and this cheese.....I think I just really want to cook everything right now...


Now I am hungry... :)

Happy Tuesday.

-CCosner

Adieu

To you,

the place

that held me so,

I bid adieu.

Between now 

and when I return,

you shall be missed.

Latest Obsession: Backpacking

First things first: I have never gone on a "real" backpacking trip. I have hiked some pretty nasty terrain and have ridden a horse many a time over steep hills with plenty of rocks. But no real down-to-earth-live-out-of-my-backpack-and-poop-in-a-hole kind of backpacking. Now this is too bad really. For one, I live in the Pacific Northwest, a sort of mecca for outdoor sports. Secondly, I like being outdoors and I take a lot of inspiration from nature.

Perhaps this obsession is only realized because of the fact that in my youth (a whole 3 years ago) I was not quite as adventurous as I am now. Not for lack of adventure per say. Maybe the "cool" factor was still flowing in my bloodstream and prevented me from doing what I really like to do. Altogether possible. But now as summer begins I itch for an excuse to say goodbye to civilization and venture into the wilderness.

Now as most obsessions of mine, it all starts out so innocent. Someone might mention something, "So-and-so hiked the Pacific Crest Trail". "Whats that?" I ask myself as I do a few Google searches. Than an article pops up and I read it. That is it for a few months. Than I start to think about buying a pack. "Why do you need a pack?", I ask myself. So I make some excuse and do some research on REI and before you know it I am in the library looking up book and magazines. Shortly thereafter you might see me hiking or walking innocently enough about town. "Lalalalala don't mind me. Just out for an innocent stroll."

The next thing you know I am making plans to climb Everest (a poor decision this would be on my part). After awhile, the obsession, never fully realized mind you, dies off and I pick something else up. In fact this blog could likely document my obsessions pretty well come to think of it. But I digress...

This one I will NOT let die. I have promised myself that. Hiking is just one of those things that I need to do. I would be very good for me. Challenging and singular and what could turn into a life long passion. Nothing wrong with that. So for the moment I will be walking around town or on my parents property (somewhat of a challenge in itself). But I would like to finish it all off with a gallivant to Wallowa Lake for a few rewarding hikes. And don't think I have lost sight of my dream of Mt. Adams. I just have to give these things time.

Monday at its best.
CCosner

Morgan Lake

Happy Sunday!

Schools Out!

As of last Tuesday I am officially done with college for a few months! On Thursday I got my wisdom teeth pulled. Now I sit in front of my computer sporting a look that only a chipmunk should have. The upside is that I am getting it over with now instead of later.

So now my summer is officially here and it is raining outside. I feel really trapped. So I am on my usual hunt for cool blogs to add to my ever growing list.

I have become really fascinated by the idea of refashioning cloths. The idea of taking a few thrift store pieces and turning them into skirts, dresses, neat shirts and skinny jeans. Cotton and Curls has many beautiful examples of how refashioning can make a wonderful wardrobe with very little. I really love this jacket and this skirt. Wonderful inspiration!

And if that is not enough, I watched a lovely Ted Talk by Jessi Arrington about thrift store shopping for a unique wardrobe. She blogs at Lucky So and So.



I hope I can start posting my thrift store finds soon. :)

-C

Saturday!

Happy for the weekend and the beautiful weather!!

Here is a project that I want to try soon: DIY Honey Cuticle Creme

Also, I have joined Pintrest. Click to see what I have pined so far. I love the site so much. There is a lot of inspiration that I need on it.

Simplifying My Life: An Update

Over the past few months I have been making efforts to simplify my life. The reasons for this are many. For one, I feel that "stuff" can keep me from doing what I love and going where I please. By breaking this attachment I feel more empowered by living off little and experiencing more. I also have been finding ways to simplify because of financial strains. As a student with a limited job I do not have much money to spend but I have made some small steps which can keep some of my costs lower than ever before. And lastly, a more simplified life is better for the planet. Buy using what I have instead of buy more I am wasting less and protecting the environment. 

Some small steps that I have taken toward minimalism and simplification are:

-Using a cloth handkerchief instead of paper tissues.
-Air drying my cloths instead of using an electric dryer. 
-Eating more meals from scratch and using more dry beans, lentils, and rice.
-Switching from conventional feminine protection to a Moon Cup. 
-Printing on the blank side of already used paper instead of using new sheets.
-Sewing a few of my own cloths.
-Going No-poo twice a week (baking soda and vinegar) instead of washing my hair with shampoo.
-Wearing my glasses more often so I can use fewer contact lenses.
-Shopping within walking distance.
-Riding my bike.
-Starting my own tomato plants from seed.
-Selling unwanted items on Ebay and donating others. 

A few things I am planning on doing in the future are:
-Canning and preserving food for this winter so I do not have to rely on store bought items.
-Getting rid of more unneeded things.
-Grow my own garden.

I am excited about all of my new changes and I hope that I can continue!

Happy Friday.

-C

Thursday Links

...because Friday cannot happen fast enough. I am exhausted. I do have some great stuff to share however!

Watermelon Jam! How epic does that sound? I cannot wait to can it and make this happen. This winter will be awesome when I can put that on biscuits.

What can I live without? Another great post on minimalism.


Solar power panels printed out like paper! That is the rumor anyway. Oh how wonderful it will be when we can all live free of utility companies.

On a more somber note, canned food is 90% likely to have the hormone disrupting chemical BPA. This makes me very sad. Most food that young students consume is from a can. I know that I have eaten way too much out of a can. How can we change this?

Kinda of love this blog! Fun stuff at Punk Domestics.

Currently listening to: Jared Mees & The Grown Children.

Enjoy!