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I have now presented my poster to the class about my window farm. Thanks to everyone that stopped by to learn about window farming. Showing my window farm to people gives me an opportunity to educate others about creative gardening and producing/buying local organic food.
I was asked many times today about what I was going to do with window garden now that the class project is over. My garden will live on so do not worry. My window farm will be moving with me to a Boy Scout summer camp that I run. There it will hang in a window in the dinning hall. With this prime location I will have around 1500 people walk by it during the summer and I am sure that many of them will stop to take a look.
The possibility of having 1500 people learn about local food is an exciting idea that I cannot turn down. Exceptionally sense most of that 1500 will be middle school kids. Teaching kids at a young age is the easiest way to make meaning life changes.
And after camp the garden is moving with me to Chicago where I hope to expand it.
I hope that many of you are think about making your own window garden, and if you do please let me know. Here are a few things that I have learned from making my own can could help you.
First, herbs are the best to plant in a window garden because many of them do not grow to big. This style of gardening is not good for large plants. Also herbs allow you to continually harvest them without completely killing the plant.
Second, do forget to water them. The bottles themselves are not very big and with that they cannot store a lot of water. I have to water my garden every two days or it will quickly dry out. I learned this the hard way and my lettuce has not fully recovered from it yet.
Last, come up with a design of your own. You could simply build one close to mine or you could be creative. Being creative with your garden makes this project such a fun to do. A good friend of mine is now making one out of old sections of plastic plumbing of different sizes. Some of the pipes even have right angles in them so he can be even more creative with the design. He is planting wild flowers in his.
Over all this has been a fantastic project. I have truly enjoyed designing and building my garden and learning about environmental issues at the same time in class.
This is going to be more difficult than I expected…..In my mind, (somethings are covered in glitter and everything taste like cheese fries) the only limit is the imagination and that’s limitless. So, when I dream up something kooky as I often do, I don’t always concentrate on the schematics of it all. If I want to do something, I try it out. It either works or it doesn’t. And if I’m super invested in the outcome, I’ll alter to get the result I’m looking for in some way or another. There have been many times when I have an epiphany and what I want to create isn’t feasible for the random fix-it-up method that I like to employ. I tried that with this project, I had an image in my head of what I wanted the end result to look like, I looked up pictures, did a sketch and then started gluing cans together. I quickly realized that cans are not as mold-able as my imagination thought they were. I had a box of cans crushed and I had to search for the right shapes, ones that were flat enough, had the correct angles for gluing more objects to it….ahhhh! This isn’t random, this isn’t something I can just glue together. It was foolish for me to think that being more calculated in my consumption choices and waste output wouldn’t also resonate in my artistic decisions. This is no longer just waste, its stuck in my house and I have to use it or recycle it. This project means I’m using it and so I have to plan, get a more clear and accessible image in my head when I approach the structure I’m building and think more about the feasibility of this image using the products I have available. Here’s what I’ve gotten so far:
The captain should be completed soon, and then onto the other characters and in the mean time I’ll be blogging about how this is all affecting me, what I’ve learned and how I can share this message. Stay tuned. Peace
As we are learning about in class, there’s no doubt that environmentalism and sustainability are growing concerns among Americans. People everywhere are realizing that what they buy and eat have a major impact on the health of the world they live in. As this awareness builds, so does the will to make a positive difference. However, while many people want to be more eco-friendly in their consumerism, often they are just unaware of what to do or where to go.
This is why my class partner and I are going to spend the next several weeks exploring the opportunities we have locally here in Manhattan, Kansas and compile a Buyer’s Guide of local environmentally-friendly products and services. We will network with businesses around town, evaluate their products and services, and give attention to some featured items/services accordingly. Because food is a heavy factor in one’s carbon footprint and consumer’s need, we’ll begin with food first.
My blogs will not only update you on the progress of our Buyer’s Guide and respective adventures, but also look into the underlying issues regarding to eco-consumerism, such as the reasoning for local and organic foods, helpful tips in what environmentally-friendly goods look like, and environmental economics.
Smart Consumerism is a key element in the mission of sustainability and environmental improvement, as we’ve talked about in class. More and more we’re beginning to understand that to do our part here in Manhattan, KS in helping the world be a “greener” place, then we must evaluate our routine habits, including the products and services we buy and where it comes from. Of course, it is important to point out that the people of Manhattan are certainly in a privileged position of having more options to choose from (in terms of infrastructure) as well as the means to choose different products (as Manhattanites are significantly more privileged in amounts of wealth and financial flexibility than many others on this planet).
Thanks, and I look forward to sharing more of my thoughts!
Hello, once more, gentle readers. This is my final, reflective blog. It seems really sudden that I should be done with this project. I definitely feel like many of my views have changed as a result of this project. Firstly, I now no longer believe in the infallibility of the certified organic label. This mostly comes from the readings we did in Katz, but also from the changes they are trying to make for the certification process. I believe, as a result of this project, I will now begin to buy more local products, and shop at the co-op more than I did before. Secondly, my practices in buying products have changed. Before, I generally just bought what was most affordable. But researching companies, I have found that there really are socially conscious, environmentally-aware ones out there, that provide good products. Sure, they might be more expensive, but if you take into account the costs to the environment, it really evens out. I believe that, by being mindful consumers, we really can make a difference, and this has also made a big change in my outlook. Before, I was always pretty hopeless about the changes I could make, but I realize that through discipline and by being educated, we have the power to affect positive change in the world.
Overall, I feel like my project was successful, because it really taught me a lot. Even though it was incredibly difficult to stick to it, I think the difficulty was as much a lesson as the project itself was. It isn’t easy to break habits we have had for essentially our entire lives. But breaking those habits are worth it, in my opinion. I know that as a result of this project many of my habits will change. Although I am sure that I won’t go to an all-organic diet, many foods, such as milk, are better for you – and in most cases for the environment – when they are purchased organically. So although this project didn’t change my entire life, it did change aspects of my life, and that’s all I could have asked for.
Hello again, gentle readers. I hope everyone’s final weeks of class are going well. I know for certain I am looking forward to the summer months – not that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed my time in this class.
This week I am covering all-natural and eco-friendly cleaning products. I was incredibly surprised at the amount of choices I found in cleaning products. I found that Clorox creates a line of all-natural cleaning products called Greenworks, each of which has at least 99% natural ingredients, and is biodegradable. They also come in recyclable containers – yay. Although I wasn’t able to find any organic cleaning products, I also found a 100%, biodegradable laundry detergent that comes in a recyclable container, as well. It is by the brand Purex. I haven’t yet had the chance to use any of these products, but I am very excited to, especially the laundry detergent. I don’t know about anyone else, but I love the smell of fresh, clean laundry, and the detergent I purchased smells like lilies.
I also found an interesting site that deals with natural cleaning and its benefits – as well as the harmful effects of most commercial cleaners – at GreenCleaningSpot. A pertinent article on that site stated that various commercial cleaners contain petroleum distillates, produce potentially deadly fumes and are harmful to our environment. This alone is reason enough to buy natural products, but it goes further to state that not only are green cleaners more beneficial to the environment, they are generally just as effective and cheaper in their concentrated forms that commercial cleaners.
Although I had planned to also buy recycled/all-natural paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, etc) I was unable to find the brand Seventh Generation‘s line of recycled products at Wal-Mart, which is just where I happened to be shopping – I’m not sure if Target carries these products, and I’m fairly certain they carry their own brand of eco-friendly cleaning products. Anyway, I know that Seventh Generation is another company that has tremendous green products – my sister uses them in her home – and I would recommend them to you. Something ladies might want to consider – this company also carries organic tampons and chlorine-free maxipads and pantiliners! Traditional pads and tampons have been shown to be harmful to your health, so organic is a very alluring alternative.
And on that note – I’ll leave you! It’s been real, it’s been fun, it’s been real fun. Until next week, with my concluding post.
Hello, Gentle Readers. It has been a while since my latest post, so let’s do some re-capping. Last time I wrote, I had had a difficult week keeping to my project. Not only had I had a difficult week, I was also beginning to question the validity of my mission: to buy only organic and all-natural products. After reading the Katz article online, which pointed out the downfalls of buying organic, I began to be disheartened, feeling that, although organic foods may be good for my own health, if grown mono-culturally and marketed by big brands, they weren’t really that much better for the environment. However, this week I have maintained a positive attitude about my project and feel slightly more hopeful. I have made some discoveries and formed some opinions on organic foods, which is, in truth, what the purpose of my project is: to explore and inform. I know you are all dying to find out what exactly my opinions on organic foods are, but for now, I would like to move ahead toward the third phase of my project: organic toiletries.
Although I am not the type of person that generally would be characterized as being obsessed with my looks (generally I’m not too concerned with what I put on in the morning, or whether or not I’m wearing make-up), I have an extreme affinity for beauty products in general, for some strange reason, perhaps because they are marketed toward me so incessantly. Needless to say, I had fun researching the different types of organic and all-natural toiletries that are out there. I found out that Origins Organics offers a line of beauty care products (shampoo, face wash, etc) that are all at least 73% certified organic. However, I wasn’t aware of any place that sold these products locally, and since I was on a timeline, I decided against ordering them online. But, if you’re willing to pay, I’m sure it is worth it to buy organic. I decided to go natural, and visited GAIA salonspa and stocked up on AVEDA shampoos and face washes. I know, I know, it’s ridiculously expensive but after reading their mission statement, and perusing their website, I have concluded that AVEDA is an excellent company to invest in (and I have found that high quality shampoos and conditioners last longer and work better). For instance, here is a quote from their mission statement: “Aveda believes that authentic beauty is one that works in harmony with the greater web of life. It does not qualify as beauty if it hurts any of the diverse life forms that the best beauty artist of all, Nature, created.“
After researching more what kinds of organic/natural products are out there in the realm of beauty supplies, I think I’m going to stick to buying them. When I think about all the chemicals that go into the process of producing the products we use to cleanse and up-keep our body, it kind of makes me feel a little dirty. Knowing that what I use on my person comes from the earth makes me feel a lot cleaner.
Dear Gentle Readers,
I am now into my second week of blogging. As you may remember, my first week of actual project was concerned with not eating non-organic food outside of the home, and donating the non-organic food I do have in my cupboards. I feel like I very much succeeded on not eating out – even though several times I had to say – “Oh, yah, I can’t go out…” The one instance where I did go out was for coffee, and since it was from a coffeeshop that serves organic coffee, I feel fully justified in buying it. (: I suppose I also went out to the bars one night, and none of what I drank could be considered organic. But perhaps I should make the distinction that non-organic beverages are okay? Because, as I get further into my project, I am realizing how hard it is actually going to be.
Which brings me to my upcoming week – which I am extremely nervous about. After a discussion in class, I realized how incredibly difficult it is to actually buy completely organic foods. I was under the impression that any food marketed as organic had to be 95% organic, but discovered that is only if it has this certified label on it that guarantees that level of organic content. As a result, I’m having to rethink how plausible it is actually going to be to be able to find organic products, let alone ensure that they are certified organic. I’ve already done some pre-project scouting and know that the pickings are slim at the larger grocery stores. And this, Gentle Readers, is where I ask for your help: if any of you know the best places to buy organic foods in Manhattan, please let me know. Someone already mentioned the COOP, but I don’t know where that is, or what it is actually called – so I can’t look it up. Also, Eastside and Westside Markets were mentioned, and I know People’s Grocery has some organic products, but I’m not sure to what extent. Any other knowledge you people could provide me with would be excellent! Hope everyone else’s projects are going swimmingly.
Hello, gentle readers. This is my first blog, and so I would like to spend it outlining my project, which falls under the “Lived Experience” category. I am going to attempt to, for the remainder of the semester, consume only organic products, all natural or green products.
First of all, I would like to explain why I am undergoing this experiment, and why I think it is important for this class. To begin, it has long been assumed that the home is a woman’s domain. Though we may call into question that assumption, I still believe that women have a deep connection to home life, including housework such as cooking, cleaning, and rearing children. However, since the development of new technology, women have become less and less connected to these every day activities as their lives become busier. As a result, women have sacrificed, in the name of convenience, not only the health of themselves and their families, but also the health of the environment. I believe that by living a more “green” lifestyle, by consuming organic and natural foods, and buying products that are committed to the health of the planet, not only women, but all people, can make a difference in overall world health.
Secondly, I believe this is an important experiment for a college student to undertake. Because of the financial situation of most traditional college students, living a green lifestyle is very difficult, if not impossible. Through this experiment, I hope to find ways that all of us can make small changes in our lifestyles to be able to afford a more organic way of living.
Last, I will explain the logistics of my experiment and how I plan to slowly establish myself in a more organic way of living. For the first week, I plan to donate all of the non-organic food that I have in my apartment, and discontinue my consumption of non-organic food outside of the home. During the second week, I plan to stock up on organic and all natural foods. I was hoping to be able to do this during the spring, so that I could also buy local food from the Farmer’s Market, but alas the semester ends too soon and the Farmer’s Market opens too late. Anyway. The following week, I will get rid of my toiletries and buy only natural products. After that, I plan to consume only natural or organic cleaning and paper products. My final blog will be a reflection of my experience.
I am going to include some interesting articles concerning whole foods, organic foods, and some examples of natural products.
http://www.greensurfers.org/organic/sixgoodreasons.htm
http://www.wholefoods101.blogspot.com/
http://www.seventhgeneration.com/
http://www.tomsofmaine.com/toms/default.asp?
http://www.burtsbees.com
1. The upper is pieced together from leather and synthetic leather waste from the factory floor using zig-zag stitching.
2. The mid-sole uses scrap-ground foam from factory production.
3. The outsole uses environmentally-preferred rubber that reduces toxics and incorporates Nike Grind material from footwear-outsole manufacturing waste.
4. The Phoenix Suns’ colorways will have shoe laces and sockliners that use “environmentally preferred” (we’re not clear what that means) materials, and will be packaged in a fully recycled cardboard shoe box.
2. The mid-sole uses scrap-ground foam from factory production.
3. The outsole uses environmentally-preferred rubber that reduces toxics and incorporates Nike Grind material from footwear-outsole manufacturing waste.
4. The Phoenix Suns’ colorways will have shoe laces and sockliners that use “environmentally preferred” (we’re not clear what that means) materials, and will be packaged in a fully recycled cardboard shoe box.
