Urban Foraging: Dandelion Coffee

Start by foraging for dandelions. For best results search in fall or early spring. After the Dandelions have experienced a frost, their flavor will enhance. When you have found some, bring them into the kitchen and wash thoroughly. Cut off all the green: You only need the carrot like roots. 

Grind the roots in a food processor until they resemble orzo or bloated over-cooked rice. 

Spread the ground roots out on a cookie sheet that you don't mind staining.

Place grounds in a oven at 220 degrees Fahrenheit. You will need to watch carefully so they don't burn. When they are done you will notice that the roots are the color of coffee grounds. You will also notice faint smoke tendrils coming from the roasted roots.

You can further grind the grounds or leave them chunky. To brew: In a pot bring 1 cup of water to 1 tablespoon of Dandelion Coffee to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes and use a small strainer to sift out the grounds. 

Dandelion Coffee is a non-GMO, sustainable, environmentally sound product. It has no caffeine and is loaded with health benefits. And best of all you can gather these weeds for FREE.

M-Wave Double Day Tripper Bicycle Pannier Review

Review M Wave Panniers

I have wanted to write a review on the M-Wave panniers I purchased 6-months ago, but I haven't seemed to get around to it until now. I purchased them from Wal-Mart.com for $24.50 and they have a 4 1/2 star rating on the website. I like to start with the negative stuff and get it out of the way first, so here we go... The picture on the website showed an all black bag...they have changed the design and not the picture. The bags that came have a weird grey fabric on the flap, and it is flimsy. The rubber or plastic backing on the grey section came off and the bag is no longer waterproof and this is the only problem I have. Okay now onto the positive... The bags are huge, they are not only deep, they are wide as well. Some bags are one or the other these bags are both. The bags have a super sturdy plastic insert that makes the bags rigid and durable (aka NO DROOP). They have a great clip system to keep the bags from blowing open, and the clips also work very well at holding the bags to the rack.

Online there was a few negative reviews not about the bags getting caught in the spokes. But I believed their problems were caused by them not having the correct rack. These bags are huge, they need a sturdy rack. The bags fit extremely well on my dutch cargo rack as well as on my Public rear rack. They hang off the end of my Wald rack and I also found it difficult to stuff them full when they were not properly supported.  I also have skirt guards and fenders on my dutch bicycle and I believe that this is why I have not experienced any problems with the bags getting caught in the spokes. I also find the bags look kinda funny (too big) for my Huffy cruiser bicycle. But if you are not going for cutesie and are going for utilitarian then these bags will work for you.The bags were totally waterproof when I purchased them, and they still would be if the front sections rubber backing didn't rip. So if you take care of them they will be extremely useful, and more than worth the money. Overall I love my bags and I keep them on my bike 24/7 just in case I need them. I also find that the top is still available when the bags are closed and this allows you to carry extra goodies on top "pet food, toilet paper, etc." And the rigid inserts help to support the extra weight from anything you place on top.

15 Great Crops To Grow In The Pacific Northwest

Fall Vegetable Garden Ideas

15 great crops to grow in the Pacific Northwest for a beautiful and nutritious Fall garden.

• Arugula start seed in late summer, to harvest up until frost.
• Beets_ Begin planting beet seeds directly in the garden one month before your last spring frost date, followed by a second planting two to three weeks later. Beets prefer a well-drained, sandy soil. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers as this will encourage top growth at the expense of root development. As with all root crops good soil aeration is key to uniform, robust development. Consistent moisture is also important. Keep areas weed free to avoid competition for nutrients.
• Broccoli(Transplants)  Broccoli seedlings should be planted 10 weeks before the first frost date in your area. This means planting them during the last hot summer days so it's important to mulch around them to help keep the ground cool and moist. Feed the plants 3 weeks after transplanting into the garden. Use a low nitrogen fertilizer. 70 days to maturity.
• Brussels Sprouts (Transplants) Brussels sprouts are ideal for fall gardens because they really taste best when allowed to mature in cool weather. In my mid-South garden, summer comes too quickly to grow them in the spring garden. Set the plants out in mid-summer. It will take about 3 months before the sprouts appear. They are ready for harvest when they are firm and green. 90 days to maturity.
• Cabbage (Transplants) Plant seedlings 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. If the heat of summer is still intense when it's time to plant in your area, give the young plants protection from sun. Cabbages are heavy feeders that require fertile soil rich in organic matter and consistent moisture. 70 days to maturity.
• Carrots Begin sowing seeds for fall and winter carrots 10 to 12 weeks before your average first fall frost.
• Cauliflower (Transplants) Plant seedlings 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. Cauliflower can be tricky to grow. Rich soil and consistent watering are the keys. Fluctuations in temperature, moisture and nutrients can cause the plant to "button" or produce small, undersized heads. Blanch the heads by tying the outer leaves together over the heads when they are about 2 to 3 inches across. This keeps them from turning green and becoming bitter. 60 days to maturity.
• Collard greens _ Plant 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost for fall and winter harvests.
• Kale (Transplants) _ You can begin planting kale 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost for fall and winter harvests, and continue planting throughout the fall in zones 8, 9, and 10.
• Kohlrabi _ Is a member of cabbage family, but it looks and tastes similar to a turnip. The bulbous edible portion grows just above the soil line. Shade young plants from summer sun. 40 to 60 days to maturity depending on variety.
• Mustard greens Sow seeds 6 weeks before the first frost. Seeds will germinate in soil that is 45 to 85 degrees F. Keep the soil consistently moist to encourage rapid growth and tender greens. 45 days to maturity.
• Radishes Sow seeds for radishes 4 weeks before the first frost. Winter varieties such as China Rose, mature slower, grow larger and store longer. They should be sown about 6 weeks before the first frost. Sow the seeds evenly so you don't have to thin them. No feeding necessary, but soil should be fertile and well drained. They are quick to mature so check them regularly. They are ready to harvest as soon as they are of edible size. 25 to 50 days to maturity depending on variety.
• Spinach Sow seeds 5 weeks before first frost date. The short days and cool, moist weather of fall is even better for spinach than spring. An established spinach crop will last well into winter and can survive temperatures down into the 20s. Spinach prefers very fertile soil to encourage rapid growth and tender leaves. 45 days to maturity.
• Swiss Chard If daytime temperatures are still over 80°F, start seeds indoors 11 weeks before the frost date, or purchase transplants (if available). The plants will mature more slowly in the fall because the days are shorter. If you provide some protection, you can continue harvesting after the first fall frost.
• Turnips Any well-drained soil will do. Consistent moisture is key for healthy root development. Although it is not necessary, the greens will be the most tender if you plant in a fertile soil.

FROST DATES FOR OREGON 
FROST DATES FOR WASHINGTON
FROST DATES FOR MONTANA
FROST DATES FOR IDAHO
FROST DATES FOR CALIFORNIA
FROST DATES FOR COLORADO
FROST DATES FOR NEVADA

Hurry New Earthbound Farms Organics Coupon

Organic Food Coupons

Shop for organic fruits and vegetables for less with this awesome new coupon good for $1/2 Earthbound Farm Products. Print until 8/20/2014 so hurry.
Use it on their organic carrots, strawberries, blueberries and more, they produce a lot of organic produce.
Look for the coupon at the bottom right hand side of the page.

Homemade Healthy Chicken Recipes For Your Kitty Cat or Dog

CHICKEN RECIPES FOR CATS







HOMEMADE SPOT'S STEW FOR CATS

1 Whole 4 to 5 Pound Chicken
1 Pound Brown Rice
3 1/2 Cups Chopped Carrots
3 Cups of Chopped Celery
2 Cups Chopped Zucchini
2 Cups Chopped Yellow Squash
1/2 Cup Green Beans
1 Cup Of Broccoli
2 Cups Chicken Broth Organic Low Sodium

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Roast whole (thawed) chickens for 20 minutes per pound, plus an additional 15 minutes.
•  Cook Carrots, Celery, Broccoli and Green Beans with chicken stock until vegetables are almost tender then add your squashes. Cook until all veg is completely tender, but recognizable.  Reserve any broth remaining.
• Steam rice until it is fully cooked and no longer tough.
• While vegetables and rice are cooking de-bone chicken and chop into kitty size pieces.
• Blend or puree vegetables and rice adding chicken stock as needed. Pour out the veg/rice mixture and stir in the chicken pieces or blend them in depending on how your kitty likes his/her food. Store remaining food in bpa free ziplock bags in the freezer.

HOMEMADE CHICKEN PUREE
1 Cup Of Roasted Chicken (chopped)
1/4 Cup Of Jasmine Rice, Quinoa or Amaranth (cooked)
1/4 Cup Of Cooked Carrot, Sweet Potato, or Squash
Low Sodium Organic Chicken Broth

Mix all ingredients in a food processor adding chicken broth as needed to blend into a palatable consistency. Store leftovers in bpa free containers in refrigerator or freezer.

RAW CHICKEN CAT FOOD
2 Cups Ground Chicken
1/2 Cup Chicken Organs (hearts, liver or kidneys)
1/2 Cup Raw Vegetables (shredded carrot, julienne green beans etc.)
1/2 Cup of cooked organic quinoa, jasmine rice, oats, or amaranth

Sanitize your work environment to cut down on any bacteria. And only use very clean and sanitized equipment. And always use fresh FRESH ingredients. If your cat does not eat raw vegetables puree them until they are a fine mush .Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. If you have a senior cat you can run the mix through a blender or food processor. Package the food into individual portions and freeze. Defrost in refrigerator overnight. DO NOT LEAVE RAW FOOD OUT ALL DAY PLEASE.

CHICKEN KITTY SUPPLEMENT
For sick cats or orphaned kitties

1  Cup of goats milk (canned is ok)
1  Cup of  filtered water
1 jar of chicken baby food (safeway's O organic is sometimes cheaper)
A TBSP or Two of plain yogurt
1 envelope of Gelatin (KNOX)

Boil water and add gelatin, stiring well. Add goats milk chicken and yogurt. You can add a kitten or senior vitamin paste if the kitten or cat needs extra nutrition.

CHICKEN RECIPES FOR DOGS

CHICKEN CHOW 

2 Chicken thighs cooked
1/2 cup of celery steamed and chopped
1 cup of carrots steamed and chopped
1 cup of cooked potatoes cubed
3 cups of cooked rice (cook in chicken broth)

Debone chicken and remove skin. Chop chicken thighs. Add celery, carrots, potatoes to rice. Mix everything together. If you dog prefers pureed food toss it all into a blender with a little extra broth. Store extra food in refrigerator or freezer in bpa free containers.

ROTISSERIE CHICKEN FEAST

4 Cups of Rotisserie or Roasted Chicken
2 Cups Of Mashed Potatoes
1/2 Cup of Cooked Diced Carrots
1/2 Cup of Cooked Diced Celery
1 TBSP Olive Oil

Combine all ingredients and separate into manageable portions and refrigerate any leftovers.


( Standardized Grapefruit Extract Controls Salmonella Bacteria)
Treat poultry with a solution of 6oz of water to 4 drops of standardized grapefruit extract (liquid concentrate)
for every one pound of poultry). Pour the solution over the chicken, turkey, or other poultry and mix. Let the mixture absorb into ground meat and allow chunks or whole breasts to soak for one hour in the refrigerator. Refrigerate extra oil. )

Five Must Sew Leather And Canvas Bags (Tutorials)

DIY LEATHER LUNCH TOTE TUTORIAL
I am absolutely in love with this lunch bag. If you are looking for sewing patterns for that hard to gift person- look no further. This is a lunch bag no one will be embarrassed to carry. The tutorial over at Design Sponge is very easy to follow and contains lots of pictures. Beware once you make one_ everybody is going to want one.

DIY Canvas and Leather Camera Bag (Bicycle Bag?)

DIY CAMERA BAG (MANLY POPPINS BAG) TUTORIAL
This camera bag is one of the coolest I have ever spotted. At Sew Fearless the tutorial shows you how to construct the bag from beginning to end and has lots of pictures. This bag would look so attractive on a bicycle.

Filson JCrew Style Knockoff DIY

DIY REVERSIBLE LEATHER CANVAS TOTE TUTORIAL
Fall is a great time to head to your local farmers markets and shop for fresh produce. Instead of dragging those cheap and flimsy store bags try making a durable and long lasting canvas and leather tote bag. Bags similar to this from Filson, JCrew, or Lands End run upwards of $100.00. Tutorial is at FrugalNomics fabulous website.

DIY Canvas Drawstring Backpack

DIY DRAWSTRING BACKPACK TUTORIAL
With school starting in a few weeks, it it time to start getting your supplies in order. This year why not make your own backpack for you or the kids. This this tutorial will show you how to make a bag from beginning to end. Tutorial is over at trashtocoutur's website.

Diy Carradice Bicycle Bag Sewing Tutorial

DIY CARRADICE CAMPER LONGFLAP TUTORIAL
If you are not into panniers and love the classic design elements of Carradice bags check out the tutorial to make your own longflap bag at Peddling Nowhere. This bag holds a generous 23 liters compared to 24 liters in the Carradice. Make this bag with whatever color canvas you like or stick with black or olive.

Homemade Jammy Jam

Well...it is canning season at our house, and boy have we been  busy. We have been super blessed this year, we have had a very productive plum tree, as well as a booming blackberry bramble. We have also had an abundance of beautiful tomatoes. I really wish it wasn't so horribly hot as it is, but it is August and at least we got a Summer season this year. Some years it seems like Spring just merges into Autumn, oh well. We also had a blazing hot July this year with 13 days at or over 100 degrees. Our tomatoes turned red, berries turned purple and the plums did too. So, we ran to our local bimart and bought us a pressure canner and some jars. Wish us luck on our new-ish project canning. New-ish because we can, however we have never owned a pressure canner, or had the opportunity to put up as much produce as we have this year.


Blackberry-Plum Jammy Jam:

1. Place 8 cups of pitted, skinned, and halved plums into a mixing bowl & drizzle with 8½ cups of sugar and 4 cups of blackberries. Stir plumbs and berries until they are coated with sugar. Let them sit for 1 hour or 2 than transfer the mixture in to a big pot.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil uncovered, while stirring occasionally. Boil until mixture is bubbling hot and simmer for 10 minutes than turn off the heat. Cool to jam reaches room temperature. Mix in a box and a half of pectin.
3.  Bringing mixture back to a boil and then the lower temperature, stir frequently to prevent scorching. Do this for 5 more minutes or until the jam slowly rolls off of a cold spoon (what is known as jelling stage).
4. Ladle it into hot sterilized jars.  Put on lids and rings which were also hot (YO! don't boil your lids).  Tighten until they are finger tight, but don't over-tighten you WILL crack the jars.  Place in water bath canner and process for 10 minutes.

Creative DIY Bike Tutorials To Style Your Bike

Learn how to make a customizable quilted seat cover for your bicycle at Shelly's Sewing Shrapnel.

Learn how to sew a beautiful/cool set of panniers at Upcraft.it 

Buy Oilcloth  Hibiscus Blue Fabric At Amazon  Oil Cloth Hibiscus Blue Fabric

Buy Stella Cherries Oil Cloth Fabric At Amazon Oil Cloth Stella Cherries White Fabric

Learn how to make a hip porter crate at Design Sponge

Buy A Wooden Wine Crate At Amazon  Old fashioned Wooden Wine Box 19.5"x13.5"x5.5" Inside

Check out this side car cargo bike from Juan Pablo Cambariere also at Bike Hacks and; Part Deux

Show off your crafty skills and customize your bicycle with fabric and Mod Podge! Squidoo Tutorial

Buy Mod Podge Hard Coat At Amazon Mod Podge CS11245 8-Ounce Glue, Hard Coat

Buy Mod Podge Outdoor At Amazon   Mod Podge CS11220 8-Ounce Glue, Outdoor

Bike Accessories For Car-Free Grocery Shopping

Car Free Grocery Shopping Accessories

Public Bikes Rear Rack: On my beach cruiser I have chosen to upgrade from my Wald rack to Public's rear rack. The rear rack I chose is Light grey and it compliments my newest cruiser which is banana yellow. I love that it came with a cateye reflector and a trap mechanism that  holds my panniers in place. They even included the hardware that made it possible to secure the rack to my fender bolt. Cost around $60.00 but well worth the extra cost.

Basil Mara 26L Panniers: These panniers I got on ebay for around $30.00  and they are very sturdy. They are not the largest panniers but they do hold a great deal more than other panniers in the same price range. I also love that the bags do not need to zip closed, which allows me to stuff them fat on dry days. They also have bright reflective strips on the back section to add visibility.

Wald 139: The basket mounts to the front handlebars and to the front wheel bolts for extra security. This mounting system allows the basket to hold an amazing 50 pounds. I even hauled a 60 pound bag of cement home from Home Depot in the front basket and it didn't even snap off. The original without wood cost me around $25.00 and the upgrade was $68 on ebay.

Front Rack: I have a dutch bike and it came with a sturdy front rack. I love this rack; it mounts like the Wald basket, and can really carry the weight. I usually set a basket or crate in the front and attach with bungees. A front rack will set you back $40+ dollars.

Folding Grocery Baskets: When we decided to start commuting by bike the folding basket became our friend. The baskets fold up when not in use. This allows us to park in tighter spots unlike the Wald 520 grocery rack that does not fold. You can buy them from several manufactures but we have only purchased Wald's. You can expect to pay $15 to $30 each side.

Warm weather bicycle commuting tips

Seasonal Bicycling Tips

Bicycling  tips for summer commuters.

•  Try to avoid exertion and excessive sweat by slowing down and preparing for a slightly longer commute than usual. Find a pace that minimizes increased body temperature. Arrive at your destination early and give yourself time to cool off. Your body’s response to warm-weather activity is delayed, so it will continue trying to cool itself long after you get off your bike.
• Slather on the sun screen you don't want to end up with cancer.

• Choose neighborhood routes with tree-lined streets and avoid densely packed city streets. The exhaust from large vehicles and buses will make you heat sick. 
•  Stay off roads that have a fresh coat of black asphalt, they are sticky, smelly, and hot. 
• Wear loose-fitting clothes made of thin fabrics. Choose shorts, dresses, and tanks that catch the breeze. For work, bring a change of clothes and change into your fresh clothes at your destination. Leave your backpack at home on hot days, in warm weather, it makes your back sweaty. Bring a pannier, basket or canvas bag with you instead and clip or bungee it to a rack.

• Consider switching helmets and try one that is vented.
• Bring a water bottle or two to stay hydrated. 

• "The risk of heat-related illness dramatically increases when the heat index climbs to 90 degrees or more. So it's important -- especially during heat waves -- to pay attention to the reported heat index, and also to remember that the heat index is even higher when you are standing in full sunshine. WebMD" 

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Also $2.00 off coupon available at Seventh Generation's™ Website 

New $2 Off Sambazon Juice or Smoothie Coupon  (Coupon Available At Coupons.com)

$2/2 Wild Harvest natural or organic salts and spices (any variety). Coupon

Save $1/1 with this Organic Girl Salad Coupon expires 5/5/14

$.75/1 Cascadian Farm Coupon (Like on facebook)

Mambo Sprouts has a ton of new printable coupons

Our Car-Free Life

Huffy Cranbrook Our First Bike

We gave up driving our car 603 days ago, and we love our new life. It is hard for most people to understand that we actually love not being in a car. It started on September 1st, 2012;  I was getting out of the car at a local home improvement store, and piles of fast food wrappers came tumbling out the door with me. We had realized that we needed a healthier lifestyle before this, but it didn't hit home until that moment. We decided no more fast food. And as luck would have it another idea came: what about biking everywhere close to home? So we went to Walmart and bought bikes. They weren't fancy- just basic single speed bikes with fenders and fat seats. The next day we drove them to work. We have purchased several accessories since  that has made cycling everywhere within our town easier. We purchased front and rear racks, pannier bags,  baskets, horns, European wheel locks, and a bike repair manual. We now are completely car free, we cycle to work, the grocery store, library, and anywhere else we need to be on a daily basis. We love being able to park near the door everywhere. We never have to look for parking spots. We don't worry if we are going to run out of gas in a traffic jam. We love the convenience of never worrying about expensive mechanical problems. We just don't have the worries_ we are happier people. So if you are considering a car free life_GO FOR IT!
Some things to note:
Get fenders or purchase a bike with them they are a worth every penny.
Single speeds might be harder for people in hilly communities, but they are easy to work on yourself.
Look for good racks, we like Wald but have since updated to Public racks.
We purchased wheel locks and use them in combination with a cable (we live in a relatively safe area)

Grocery Shopping By Bike

Front and rear racks

 Have you been considering using your car less and your bike more? Well, we have made that change in our life and we love it. Last year we decided to cut down how much we use our car. Every time we used our car we made poor choices (fast food, general waste). We were neglecting our health, our family time, and always seemed to be in a rush. So, we slowed down. We did not make the choice based on financial reasons; but have seen extra money in our bank accounts at the end of the month.  This post is for the beginner to help out and show what we have learned.

Wald 520 Amazon

GET THE RIGHT GEAR:
Wald makes a rear basket/rack {the 520} that will carry at least two large bags of groceries, and  you can strap a few more to the rack. We have this setup on my moms vintage 1968 Western Flyer bicycle. She likes the weight in the back, so it doesn't interfere with her steering.  This setup is ideal if you will heed our advice and shop frequently as apposed to loading up and forgetting you don't have a trunk.  This is not for the person who wants to take off the basket and only use it occasionally. (This basket is bolted to your bike in several locations to make it secure.)

Linus panniers

Rack and panniers:
Similar to the Wald 520, only not as permanent. There are several great racks on the market; but when shopping for groceries - you need one that can hold the weight; groceries are heavy.
Panniers come in different sizes and materials. We have two kinds, one made by Linus, and one set we purchased on eBay. The Linus set is great for light weight loads but I'm sure they could hold a lot more than we toss in them. Our eBay set is from a Chinese store and we paid around $20.00. Our Chinese panniers have zippers, pockets, reflective tape and hold the weight without flopping about. The Linus set however, can roll up into a neat little bundle.

TIPS:
DO NOT FORGET TO BRING A LOCK, AND USE IT
Shop more frequently. Think Daily or Weekly not Monthly
Plan your trips. If out at night bring lights and reflective gear.
Try to purchase whole foods and purchase less processed foods.
Buy a quality rack we like the Wald 215 they have two colors and a wood version.
Enjoy you new Slow Life and take the time to smell the roses.

Our Dutch Bicycles

Sew Your Own Pet Clothes Upcycle

I found a few patterns while I was shopping at my local fabric store. I inquired at a few big stores like Joann and Hancock to see if they were there too, and they are. The patterns run for about $17.00 US, which is pretty steep, but if you shop at a pattern sale you could score them for a dollar or two, so keep your peepers open. Patterns 2695 and 2755 are from Simplicity, and are for upcycled pet clothes you can search for them online by typing Go Green Simplicity. 

Homemade Cat Litter

Have you ever thought about making your own cat litter? Well, if the answer was YES... I have stumbled across a few ideas. First off; we have a darling family of fur-babies, four to be exact. One of our lovelies Mr. Chin developed a urinary tract infection when he was two. When we got the terrible news from his vet we decided some things needed to change around our house. One of the things we changed was our cat litter. Our veterinarian is a huge fan of eco cat-litters. So we purchased a few bags of Yesterdays-News and a box of Swheat. These products were well loved by our babies, but they are very expensive. So after about a year of using Yesterdays-News we decided to try making our own litter. The first thing we tried was just shredded newspaper.....BUT THIS IS VERY MESSY... so we opted to try the wet method. This method is as followed....


NEWSPAPER LITTER
(1) Shred or chop several newspapers "for extra try going to nursing homes, hospitals or contacting your local paper for extras to recycle". 

(2) Put the shredded papers in a bucket or empty pool. Pour water over the shreds until it is workable. If your local paper does not use soy based ink add a small amount of dish detergent to the water mix.

(3) Mix the paper-water mix until you get a pulpie mix. {think homemade recycled paper}

(4) Squeeze the pulp making sure to remove as much water as you can. If you needed soap, squeeze the water out and then rinse the pulp once again. 

(5) OPTIONAL once you squeezed the water add some baking soda to the pulp this will help with odors and we all know every cat won't use a stinky box. {bobs redmill or arm and hammer}

(6) Place the pulp to dry in the sun on a screen or in a box spread out so that it can dry thoroughly. The texture is up to you fine or chunky. Simply just break it into smaller clumps. I recommend the box method if you are going for a fine litter. 

Option 2

Wheat litter:
When  you first buy Swheat or other name brand wheat litter, you are fooled into thinking this litter is special. Well, it's not. All this litter is, well, WHEAT. And you can make it at home for a fraction of a fraction of the cost at home. 

(1) Purchase bulk wheat berries at a grocer that sells bulk wheat, or hit up a grange/pet store and buy animal grade wheat. {any wheat berries will work}

(2) Grind in a blender,food processor or grain grinder until it is a coarse consistency. 

This method also works with corn and oats very effectively. However, for some reason unknown to me the wheat clumps better.

If you know why? Put a comment in the message box.

But if these ideas don't appeal to you, you can still make some snazzy "Tidy Cats" reusable bags.

Nasoya Coupons {expired}

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2. Feast your eyes on the recipes, or see what the Dish Whiz serves up based on your own ingredients.
3. Discover what to do with tofu (from buying to cooking) through the quick video tips, ranging from beginner to advanced.

   Take the pledge. Get rewarded.

   You will need to pledge to cook tofu once a week for one month.

   Why should you take the pledge?

   It's all about Nasoya Tofulosophy: a new outlook on tofu, empowering you to embrace the healthy protein in your kitchen. Discover the history of tofu. Uncover the environmental benefits. Learn the health benefits. Become a tofu extraordinaire with video tips and start cooking simple and tasty tofu recipes in no time!
   To get you started, they give you a $1 Nasoya coupon that you can download instantly. And then, they will email you a new coupon each week for one month! Then write down 4 'Tofu U' recipes and send in the UPC's from 4 participating Nasoya products along with the form and you can get a Mens or Women's t-shirt or gym shorts for free.
   
   
   Link For The Form { HERE } Expired
   Join Tofu U { HERE } Expired

Make A Bee Condo

I recently stumbled across the Global Bee Project a website that promotes bee guardianship . Well I thought it was cool enough to write about. I have a garden and I don't know what I would do without the little bees pollinating everything for me . I have noticed that I don't have the bees that I did a few years ago "may-bee" it it the lack of marigolds (my sister is allergic) however it has bugged me since my squash numbers have went down ,so I built my self a bee condo above and placed it along my neighbors fence. I am also going to make a bee nest out of either bamboo or dried blackberry stems . Bee condo's don't attract colonies just solitary bee's like masons the bees which are not aggressive and don't sting. These bee's like to dwell in holes that are 3-10 inches deep and 3/32" and 3/8" in diameter . Place you bee condo facing east they like morning sun. Don't spend money buying one when they are so easy to make all you need is some non-chemically treated wood ,a drill ,and some nails .

Save Money And Go Green

You might have been wondering "how can I save money and go green?" Here are my top ten tips to save money while enjoying a greener lifestyle. My motto has always been: don't spend money to save money.

MY TOP #3

1. Pack Waste Free School/Work Lunches: Waste free lunches are great for the environment and for your pocketbook. A typical lunch at a fast food restaurant can cost upwards of $5.00 each, and school lunches are not always the best choice for your children. In our school district they give children "gasp" greasy pizza, chips and soda! You will need a pvc free lunch bag or box, a cloth napkin, a BPA free water bottle, reusable containers, BPA free sandwich wraps, reusable utensils (fork spoon knife.*) *check with school district Don't blow your budget, just do your homework, all the above items can be found around your home or purchased inexpensively.


2. Change your lightbulbs: If you haven't changed to using Compact Fluorescent bulbs consider it. If every household replaced just three 60-watt incandescent bulbs with CF bulbs, the pollution savings would be like taking 3.5 million vehicles off the road. On average a home will save about $47.00. CONCERNS> CF bulbs do contain trace amounts of mercury. But don't worry — there is far less mercury in CFs than in thermometers or even old thermostats. Years from now when they burn out and you can recycle them. Visit Recycleabulb to find your closest recycling location.


3. Coupons: Yes couponing does take a little time but it can pay off! 

Print coupons at Organic Valley save on milk eggs cheese and more. 

Print coupons at Horizon Dairy . 

Print coupons at Brown Cow Farm . 

Mambo Sprouts , they are a great resource and you can print coupons from great natural and organic companies. 

Print coupons at Simply Organic great spices seasonings and baking needs.

 Print coupons at Ecover and save on cleaning products. 

Print coupons at Seventh Generation sign up for free. 

Print coupons at Santa Cruz Organics

Seven More Tips

1. Make your own laundry soap and cleaning supplies: find links on side bar


2. Don't buy bottled water, filter tap water and fill-up a reusable water bottle.


3. Use real dishes and avoid disposable products such as plates, cups, napkins and cutlery.


4. Defrost fridge and freezer: freezers work best when near capacity and fridge no more than 3/4 full also check seals and clean coils.


5. Fix leaks a leaky sink that drips 1 drop per second wastes 3,000 gallons of water a year.. so fix it! Toilets can leak up to 200 gallons a day check toilet by adding cranberry juice to toilet wait 15 minutes if you see pink you have a leak then flush the toilet to avoid stains. Replacement parts are cheap, it is a EASY FIX!
6. Use reusable towels and dishcloths in place of paper towels and disposable dish sponges.

Free Hip Reusable Bag Pattern

I came across this beautiful reusable bag idea. It was created by a super awesome lady Kendra Stanley of San Fransisco . She had a incredible idea not only to move from plastic and paper : she came up with a way to reuse old raincoats. Kendra has a fantastic and hip pattern at
city bag trade
Click on the link for the free down-loadable pattern and instructions. This would make a great handmade gift idea for the person that has everything !