Earth Hour

March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm local time
World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions.
Kinda Cool.

Lean and Green

Hi Girlsies: Here are a few more ideas to build on Ariel's Lean and Green Living ideas: re-use plastic bags, even sturdy baggies, if they are in good condition. Just rinse or wash out and hang over the faucet until dry. Use 1/2 dryer sheets and 1/2 paper towels. Use cloth napkins. Buy in bulk. Buy on sale. Don't waste food odds and ends. Make smoothies, salads, soups or omelettes with the remnants of fruits and veggies. Dad's good at getting his shoes re-soled--be like him, and try to repair what you can.

By the way--we had a yummy omelette this morning. I sauteed some chopped onion in olive oil, added fresh chopped mushrooms, then fresh spinach, and some chopped fresh basil, and seasoned all with salt and pepper. None of that takes very long. Then I transferred that mixture to a plate, and added to our oven-proof frying pan a little more oil and the eggs beaten with some water (1/3 c about), salt and pepper. When they were half solid, I added back in the spinach mixture, stirred it around a little, then turned off the heat and topped it all with a little grated cheese, then a goodly amount of chopped fresh tomatoes. That went under one of the cooler broiler settings just until the top was hot and bubbly, and the eggs nicely finished--not much time. Then I added a little dry red pepper flakes and some fresh chopped basil for garnish. We really liked it! This is how we get teenagers out of bed :) That might technically be a frittata. I'm not sure.

Finally, please remember that the whole family is working to make the planet a kinder, gentler place. To honor Dad's efforts in this regard, please see the photo of Laurel's presentation of a polar bear--one of the lucky ones! PS Dad has been caught recyling recently.

Go Green! Even in Provo!

Hi Family!
So, I found this cool blog called "Sustainable Living in Provo." Way to go, Jolyn. Way to plant a garden, do co-oping, and recycle, even in Provo.
It was on that blog that I found this site where you can take a short test to find out how many "earths" we would need if everyone lived like you. It's kind of interesting. I do believe that there is "enough and to spare," but we might still have to give up a few things and share a bit more.
Lately I have been thinking about how important it is to take care of the earth, however we can in our own little sphere. For a while I have tried to be conscious about little things- how many paper towels I use when I wash my hands in a public restroom, not putting the shower on full power, not cutting across the grass, and more recently, using my re-useable shopping bags. I'm always impressed at how Mom is always thinking about ways to be conscious of her "ecological footprint," by avoiding plastic wrap, and other things.
What else do you do, Mom?
What do YOU do, Laurel, Hannah, Micah, Rachel, Dad, Andrew and whoever else might be reading this blog?
While waiting in the temple this week, I read a few great scriptures on our responsibility to this beautiful earth.

D&C 59:16-20 Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth; Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards; Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul. And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.

The other scripture I especially liked was D&C 104:11-14.

So, I hear that Dad is currently writing a paper about this sort of thing. Dad, how about you post about your paper? I'm thinking of doing a post about this on the andrewandariel blog, too, and I'm sure we'd all love to know more about your paper. Maybe you could just post the abstract so we can read the synopsis.

Anyway, until then... EARTH POWER!