Monthly Archives: August 2008

Aug 3

11 For July

As you might have read, I’m trying green my driving routine by not driving (or riding) in a car at least one day a week. Last month I decided that I would put a gold star on the calendar for every day that I didn’t drive. On the first day of August I totaled the stars, and I had 11 for the month of July! I was really shocked that for 1/3 of the month, I didn’t drive.

Strangely, I didn’t miss driving that much. I thought that I would feel stuck, bored, and miss out on all of those little trips here and there. It was fun though, I planned my errands and shopping trips wisely. I also found several places close to home that the boys and I could walk to. We would wake up early, and walk to the Post Office or Farmer’s Market before the weather became too warm. Getting out and walking became a fun way to connect with my kids, and they got to see a little bit more of our town.

I would like to continue this trend of Gold Star days for August, and see how just many more days I can go without driving. If I can make it 10 days this month I’ll be really happy, but even a few here and there will help a bit.

Aug 2

Reducing the Food Mileage

2008 is the year that I am “greening  my family and home”, I’m trying to live more eco-friendly, and attempting to reduce those food miles by growing our own organic veggies. Our garden has also helped Thade realize that our food doesn’t just come from Wal-Mart.

I’m really proud of those little Yellow Squash, and it proves to those local naysayers that YES, you can grow veggies without pesticides. I can’t wait to make my Garlic-Squash Couscous with my fresh produce.

We are out in the garden every day in the morning before it is too warm. Occasionally we have a cool insect that Thade has never seen before, and sometimes a toad or two. I love to watch the busy honey bees buzzing from flower to flower.

This week we had an amazing Moth that paid the garden a visit. The moth was huge, and Thade couldn’t believe his eyes. He asked if it was a bat, and gave it a little space just in case it was.

I hope that next week we’ll have a few more veggies, and maybe the kids will give them a try too.

Aug 1

August Dinner Menu

Well I didn’t accomplish my goal of no take-out for July, so I’m going to try and do better in August. Here is what I have planned for dinnertime and a few desserts for the month of August…

8/1/08: Lasagna and Garlic Bread

8/2/08: Beef & Broccoli Stir-fry with Rice

8/3/08: Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Bean Casserole

8/4/08: Grilled Sausage, Hominy, Rice & Lentils, and Cream Cheese Bars

8/5/08: Turkey Leftovers and Sides

8/6/08: Chicken Rings, Mac & Cheese, and Fries

8/7/08: Chicken Chow-Mien, Rice Noodles, Crab Rangoon, and Orange-Coconut Candies

8/8/08: Grilled Chicken, Rice-a-Roni, and Green Beans

8/9/08: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice

8/10/08: Pot Roast and Potatoes

8/11/08: Chicken Fajitas, Re-fried Beans, Cheese Dip, and Tortilla Chips

8/12/08: Steak and Steak Fries

8/13/08: BBQ Beef Sandwiches, Fries, and Brownies

8/14/08: Shrimp & Sausage Jambalaya, Hominy, and Corn Bread

8/15/08: Fish Sticks, Fries, and Mac & Cheese

8/16/08: Pasta. Mozzarella Sticks, and Garlic Bread

8/17/08: Turkey Noodles and Mashed Potatoes

8/18/08: Angus Burgers and Fries

8/19/08: Chicken Chow-Mien and Rice Noodles

8/20/08: Fish Sticks, Fries, and Mac & Cheese

8/21/08: Beef & Broccoli Stir-fry and Rice

8/22/08: Turkey Sloppy Joe’s and Fries

8/23/08: Grilled Sausage, Hominy, and Rice & Lentils

8/24/08: Pasta, Mozzarella Sticks, and Garlic Bread

8/25/08: Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, Tortilla Chips and Cheese Dip

8/26/08: Chicken Rings, Mac & Cheese, and Fries

8/27/08: Steak and Steak Fries

8/28/08: Beef w/ Rice-a-Roni, Green Beans, and Hominy

8/29/08: Lasagna and Garlic Bread

8/30/08: Dorito Casserole, Re-fried Beans, and Tortilla Chips

8/31/08: Grilled Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Bean Casserole