Time for an update .....

Mike and I went whitewater rafting on the Lochsa River. We had an amazing time. This has become an annual event. If getting your adrenaline going (all day), having sore facial muscles (laughing and smiling all day) and enjoying beautiful Idaho scenery is on your 'bucket list', then plan on joining us next Memorial Day.

Our next fun trip is planned for 4th of July at Wallowa Lake, Oregon. We plan on fishing, hiking and enjoying family.

I am still without products. I am not using shampoo or conditioner. I absolutely love the feel and look of my hair. I use a little baking soda and water on my scalp on Thursdays. On Sundays I add a apple cider vinegar rinse to my regime. On an occasion I will use tea tree oil on my arm pits. Most of the time I don't bother, and so far nobody has complained. I must naturally smell like roses. ;-) If I eat garlic, I use toothpaste. Mostly I just dry brush, and once a week I use baking soda.

My diet is about 99.5% raw fruits and veggies. I try to eat 80-10-10 most days, but on an occasion I have chips or fries. I also drink a cup of coffee everyday and wine once a week.

I trail run about 20 miles a week. I would like to double that by August. I am using dailymile to track my workouts. I would also like to run a couple of trail races this summer. I ran the Aspirin 5k in 35 minutes and Bloomsday (12k) in 100 plus minutes. I had a few 'incidents' that slowed me down. I don't think that I will be running Bloomsday next year, unless I get to start with the Kenyan runners. 50,000 plus runners is 45,000 too many.

As a family we try to keep our consumerism minimal. This has not been an easy goal. We have bought new "stuff" but only "stuff" that we really really wanted (notice that I didn't say needed?). We just bought a truck - used truck. Reasoning - to get wood and the jeep was on its way out. We also bought a trailer for wood. We have sent cards - birthday, mother's day, graduation, etc... We also eat out a couple times (or more) a month. However our spending is conservative when compared to our peers, but more than I want to spend. We will have to work on this some more.

Lost My Yak

I decided to run my favorite trail with the dogs this morning. It was 37 F, sunny and somewhat dry. The trail was a little icy in spots, soft mud in other spots, and a couple of inches of snow in the rest of the spots. I left my snowshoes at home and decided to use my yaks (treads for the bottom of your running shoes).

The first part of my run is all ice down to a little creek. My neighbor built a log bridge to get you across, but I like to run and jump over it. Because it was all ice, I used the bridge. The trail then goes up hill to a lumber road. It was all ice on the road including a half mile stretch that is about 45 degree incline. Towards the top it was all mud. It was almost all snow for about half mile which is a slight decline that eventually turns flat leading to an open meadow. From the meadow you can look down a steep rocky cliff to Round Lake State Park.

I lost my yak somewhere on the way back from my run. I was heading down the 45 degree incline running in the mud enjoying life. I could see Cocolalla Lake and few spots on the lake which I assume were crazy ice fishermen. I decided to walk down the icy part. Once my yakless right foot hit the ice I became Will Ferrell's character, Chazz Michael Michaels, from Blades of Glory. Screaming "Yaaaahoooo". The crazy ice fishermen could probably hear me. I am sure I was quite a site. I didn't fall, but venturing the rest of the way home with only one yak was interesting.

Remember that most of the hill is ice as well as the flat part of the lumber road and the trail to my house. Basically I skated down then used my left foot that had the yak to stop. I made it home alive, but now I am with only one yak and have more trails to run.

No Poo (Shampoo)

I am going on 2 months without using shampoo, conditioner, or hair products. I use baking soda on my scalp and apple cider vinegar on my hair twice a week. Thats it. I have to say that I love the feel of my hair. It doesn't get into tangles anymore, its shiny, and feels silky. I wish I would have done this sooner. Think of all the money I could have saved, plastic bottles saved from the landfill, and chemicals not absorbed into my body.

I have done without deodorant for a couple of years. I use tea tree oil under my arms and on my feet. I don't use shaving cream, make-up, face creams, night cream, astringents or nail polish. I wash my face with honey and will occasionally rub in vitamin E on dry spots. I use creamed avocado as shaving cream for under my arms and legs. They are nice and soft. My shower looks like a buffet. I feel that you really shouldn't put anything on your body that you wouldn't be willing to eat or drink.

What do you think? Leave a comment.

Vegan Butternut Squash & Duxelles Casserole

Mushroom Mixture

1 c cremini mushrooms, chopped

2 shallots, chopped

2 cloves of garlic

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp parsley, chopped

1/4 white pepper

Tofu Mixture

1 c soy milk

2 Tbsp flour

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 Tbsp nutritional yeast

1 c soft tofu

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1 (2.5) butternut squash

Saute 1 cup chopped mushroom, 2 shallots, and 2 cloves of garlic in 2 tablespoons olive oil. Once shallots are soft add 1 tablespoon chopped parsley and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper. In a separate pan on medium heat combine 1 cup soy milk, 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, and 2 tablespoon flour mixed. Gradually add 1 cup soft tofu, 2 cloves of garlic, and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg. Whisk until smooth (you might want to put ingredients in blender or food processor to get smooth). Slice 1 (2.5 lb.) peeled butternut squash into 1/8 inch slices. Alternate layers of butternut squash, tofu mixture and then mushroom mixture. Bake in a greased 8x8 glass casserole dish at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

A bargain ain't a bargain unless it's something you need. ~Sidney Carroll

What more could you want or need 12 days into the new year? Food and gas. Day 12: thus far we have spent $200 - Costco, $119 - Yoke's, and ~ $60 - gas

I panicked and spent entirely too much on food. So now I am bored, waiting for the next food shopping trip so I can spend some money. Frugality is harder than I thought, and it really is just a state of mind. Spending money on stuff, whether it is food or stuff, is a process of doing something enjoyable. It's an event that is definitely over-rated, but fun nonetheless.

Usually when my husband and I go to Costco, we stop by Fourbucks on the way to get a latte and a goodie. I usually order a Chai Tea latte with soy (lactose intolerant), no water grande size. My husband orders grande vanilla latte. Cranberry orange scone for me and blueberry scone for him. We would hopefully get a comfy chair by the gas fake fireplace. He would get the local paper and read just the first page. I would get the Inlander and read the I Saw You-You Saw-Me-Cheers and Jeers section. Half an hour later we would be on our way to Costco.

Now - we drink our coffee at home and eat a home-made goodie on the road. I just made some cranberry orange raw granola that is wonderful and probably healthier. We read the paper on-line so we don't generate more paper waste. We also write out a list of 'must haves' based on what we don't have in the frig and pantry.

With our new set of shopping rules in hand we simply fill up our basket with produce and a few dry goods. Before frugality and low impact philosophy, we would peruse the book isle, maybe by one or two books, one usually a 'self help' and the other a novel. Now, we just write down the name of the book and hope that the library will have it. We have been known to use a coupon on something we really didn't need, like a Waterpik Ultra Dental Water Jet and Sensonic Professional Toothbrush Combo . <---- Who thinks of these type of gadgets . . . better yet, who comes up with the name. If you use it are you then the 'Professional' or can a gadget that gets chunks out of your teeth consider the 'professional'? Just food for thought. The coupon mentality just isn't frugal. What more do you need than just fruit, vegetables, seeds, and nuts (vegetarian)? "A bargain ain't a bargain unless it's something you need." ~Sidney Carroll. How many coupons do you see for stuff you really need?

Changing my frame of mind is going to be tough. What's odd, I have never been a big shopper. I don't shop in the malls or big department stores. I love to window shop and browse quaint boutiques. Telling yourself that you are not going to buy a single new thing for a year is mental anguish. The possibility of spending has always been present. I may be a browser, but I always had the possibility of spending. That's the frame of mind that I have to change - the 'what if' scenario.

Before I might say 'what if I had that fabulous outfit? I might wear it for a job interview and get the job'. Now I say 'what if I take the money I would have spent on that outfit that I would have wore for a job interview and wouldn't get the job and put it on my mortgage payment so more money is going towards my principle rather than interest. Better than that - I won't even go window shopping. Save the gas.

As I am writing this blog, my frugal daughter is getting ready to meet some friends at a local pub for a game of trivia. Her friends plan on eating dinner; whereas, my daughter just ate a sandwich and plans on drinking water. Smart girl. Frugal girl.

Going Rogue, Too.

To All My Friends and Family,

First and foremost ~ have a blissful winter solstice!

Now to answer the question that is on all of your minds - No, I have not read Sarah Palin's book, nor have I joined the conservative band wagon. I have not done anything 'shady' or 'sneaky' this past year. I've (I mean 'the family' :-) decided to be a 'Low Impact Family'. Which I think seems odd, mysterious, and not the norm to most people. Therefore, I entitled this blog 'Going Rogue, Too'.

What is a 'Low Impact Family' you might be asking yourself. Try googling it. I might be the first to name this event or philosophy or way of life. I googled it myself and didn't find low impact family. There is a low impact house. But you might see a link to 'No Impact Man'. Which is pretty close to what I have in mind for our family. Check out Colin Beavan's web site and watch the 'No Impact Man' movie trailer. He has the right idea about living without leaving an impact on the environment.

I think no impact would be next to impossible for our family, that's why I said low impact. I have semi-define our goals and thought that I would share it with everyone. I am hoping that by sharing our adopted lifestyle plan for a year that everyone would share ideas that maybe they are already doing and to also enlighten everyone so there is no guessing to whether we can participate in an event or a holiday.

Here is the general low impact goal for one year time:

We are not

1) buying anything new - I mean stuff.

2) eating out (this will be the hardest to do).

3) buying grocery products that has packaging that we can not recycle or has excess packaging.

4) taking any extravagant vacations (because we do that all the time :-).

5) giving out or receiving holiday/birthday cards and gifts (sorry everyone - see #100 below).

6) watching television or movies at the theatre.

We are

1) composting.

2) gardening.

3) buying our food locally and in season (this might change - we love bananas, and well they do not grow in Idaho :-P.

4) carpooling and riding our bikes when weather permits.

5) backpacking and enjoying the outdoors close to home.

6) going white water rafting down the Lochsa River (trip was planned and paid for 6 months ago).

7) going camping at Wallowa for 4th of July.

8) sending and receiving holiday/birthday wishes via internet, cell phone, or in person (can't quite give up technology).

100) making fresh homemade smoothies and juices for friends and family that come to visit.

Once the year is up, we are going to evaluate, analysis, make charts and graphs and give a power point presentation......just kidding. For those of you that are curious and feeling like you might want to go rogue and need some advice, my blog will be available, and I will answer e-mail.

Some of the benefits:

1) college scholarship essay material for Max and Molly

2) save literally thousands of dollars

3) family bonding

4) get into better shape

5) eat healthier (if that is possible)

6) create a smaller ecological footprint than we are currently doing

7) peace (or piece - depending on how you look at it) of mind

~Great Northern Idaho Day~

I absolutely love the exhaustion I feel after a long strenuous trail run with my german shepherds, Roam'n and Buddy and springer spaniel, Scout. I am sitting by a cozy fire writing my blog for the day, thinking that my muscles could not be any happier. They are not sore, just tired and warm. My lungs easily fill with air, and when I exhale I close my eyes and can feel all stress and tension release. My heart beats real slow and steady. A cougar could barely hear the beat. Truly it's a wonderful feeling. Everyone that has two working legs (4 if you are canine), a pair of lungs, and a heart should run everyday!

Since it was so sunny and beautiful, I spent most of the day outside with my dogs working in the yard. I trimmed all the mint, and even had some new growth that I put in my tea which I am enjoying by the fire. I also trimmed the oregano. If I should ever start a small business, it should be in selling herbs and spices. They grow like weeds even in the cold Northern Idaho winter. Oregano is taking over my front yard! I think that I spotted some new shoots of thyme amongst the oregano as well. My asparagus is fooled into thinking its spring; asparagus buds are poking through the ground. I also have chard, kale, romaine lettuce and collard greens. Its amazing how a little sunshine and warming temperatures on the first day of December can fool us.