Thanks to Donna, we shower with a bucket

To lower our water usage, Eric and I now shower with a bucket. Sounds funny, but it's actually pretty cool. We got a nice blue 10 qt. bucket and stuck it in the shower. Since our shower takes forever to warm up in the morning, the bucket catches the 5 or so quarts the shower spits out before the water gets warm. Then, we leave the bucket in there and stand in front of it so it catches any residual water bouncing off our rock hard muscles. It is usually full by the end of the shower. Then, we use it to flush the toilet or water the plants outside.

Ta da! Saving at least 20 quarts a day! That's at least 7,300 quarts a year.

My Eating Life is Changed Forever

I'm currently reading "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan. It's truly an amazing book and will open your eyes and mind to what goes on before the food you eat reaches the grocery store or your local farmstand. Today, I went to Vons for the first time since starting the book and I realized how much it has affected how I think about food. I had wondered (and worried) if I would never be able to shop the same again after reading the book. My fears were confirmed after wandering through Vons thinking, "What the hell am I going to be able to buy and eat with a clear conscience???" I felt like I was letting my body and the animals down by buying the shredded mozzarella and ricotta in a plastic container for the manicotti I plan to make later this week. And, that was just dairy products!!! What about the chicken we bought? How can I eat it??? But, I know I will. There aren't any options for locally raised chicken, so I'm stuck with the store bought birds. Even "free-range" means nothing really. Yikes...what to do, what to do. Luckily, our neighbors have a turkey and a chicken, so we get eggs from them. I'm going to have to start raising chickens, growing my own garden, milling my own wheat. Shit...I better get going....I have a lot to do.

Seriously, though - how do you find a balance? Obviously, due to time, space and monetary restraints, I can't be fully sustainable so that I can eat with a clear conscience. Maybe Michael Pollan will give me some suggestions at the end of the book.

This is an amazing book that will make you take a serious look at what you eat and where it comes from. Your eating life will never be the same. So, read it, and let me know if you come up with any solutions.