Scramblin'

I am a time optimist.

I see no reason why I can't go to the pool at 5 and have dinner ready by 6:30...and yet...if we don't get home until 6:30 - how is that happening?

Luckily I have settled into a "system" where we have dinners planned out for the week. And although I don't always follow the plan exactly (we had Wednesday's dinner tonight because it was quicker to put together), it is hugely stress-reducing to know that I have all of the "stuff" to make dinners all week. Also money-saving, as the lure of take-out is somewhat blunted by the fact that I have already purchased the ingredients for dinner.

My mom always did this when I was growing up...and at the time it seemed so bizarre to decide a week ahead of time what we would be hungry for next Thursday. Now, it just makes sense.

I was spurred to realize the wisdom of my mother's ways (Hi Mom!) a couple of years ago when my friend recommended The Six O'Clock Scramble to me.

This is one of the best services ever. I freely recommend it and others who have tried it rave as well. I also have their cookbook and use it extensively!

Anyway - The Scramble sends you five easy, healthy recipes every week. Along with a shopping list, suggestions for side-dishes, health tips, etc. Very straightforward. Very focused. Very yummy.

Tonight I pulled out a recipe from one of their old newsletters that we had liked: Tortellini with pepperoni, gorgonzola cheese and artichokes. Quite delish - and took about 15 minutes to prepare - including boiling the water.

So that whole pool thing didn't seem so silly!

Now if only I could have a similar system for getting the rest of the things done that are stressing me. Could someone send me five stores to contact? Five huge press opportunities? Five big fat checks?

The Funnest Newsletter Ever

Well, next to mine. I win. But this guy is second.

Help a Reporter Out

Several times a day you get an e-mail listing a bunch of things that reporters need help with. You HAVE to eventually be able to fit one of these descriptions. I am forwarding them to people I know as I see a fit for them.

Female Dentist 20-40 with two kids between 3-13 for a toothbrush commercial?? MELISSA!

Someone who can comment on wedding trends? JAMIE!!

Someone who was in a flexible work arrangement that went wrong?? ME!!

Someone who runs a windfarm?? Well, no one I know - but how fun!

Interesting to look through even if it doesn't ring any bells...and your name in lights (well, type) if it does! What could be funner than that??

It's not easy being green...

OK, so I am not the greenest. But I am trying. Really hard. Well, hard-ish.

I have the reusable bags for the grocery store. But I feel a little odd about bringing my Giant bags into Genuardi's or Acme. So sometimes I leave them in the car because I don't want to hurt their feelings at the other stores. (I am guessing they have no actual feelings on the subject and would probably rather have me in their store buying a big pile of groceries regardless of the bags I bring).

I do have one Whole Foods bag, and that one just makes me feel kind of cool. In a pseudo-green poser sort of way.

I am beginning to think there is some rule that the cashiers aren't allowed to touch the reusable bags. Or else I am giving off some manic control-freak vibe when I plunk my stash-o-bags on the conveyor belt. But they basically won't put anything in the bags. I stand there wildly opening the bags and attempting to sort through the deluge of stuff as it piles up at the bottom of the bagging area...and they just sort of watch me...and don't help.

Sometimes if I run out of space in my 6 bags (which is not often) - they do put the extra stuff in a plastic bag. Thanks for that.

So I am feeling all righteous when I use the bags - but not enjoying the process all that much.

I went to the farmer's market last week. Trying to "eat local" and do more "whole foods" and all that good stuff. But there are like BUGS flying around. And I didn't recognize many of the varieties of produce, which seemed to be heavy on the "fancy lettuce" category. So I ended up buying a loaf of bread. Lame, I know. The planet needs saving and I am buying bread.

We are transitioning to compact fluorescent bulbs. We are using the water bottles with less plastic. We are not taking receipts at the ATM or the gas station (I don't want evidence of how much I am spending on gas anyway!)

My dog eats food from Whole Foods. My children, for the most part, do not.

I still don't buy organic milk. Because if I had to dump 1/2 full glasses of milk that costs $8 a gallon down the sink I might have to kill someone. And trust me, that is much scarier than whatever might be in non-organic milk.

We are finding small ways to get greener. It is a long road. But as in most things, I think better is better...and if we keep getting better, maybe someday we'll get it all the way right.

Some good resources (even if we can't follow ALL of the suggestions, following any would be better, right?):

The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time very digestable. Some of the suggestions seem strange, but some are really good. And you can read about what the celebs are doing to be "green" (if you are into that sort of thing!)

Ideal Bite is a very fun website/newsletter that sends you one "green" tip each day.

The Lorax (Classic Seuss) is a great way to talk to kids about natural resources.


And I want to read these three - but there isn't room in the pile at the moment!

Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life

Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style

Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World