rockypandora’s Recent Comments

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  I was recently visiting my neighbor who thinks of herself as an environmentalist and raising her three kids the same way.  During my 5 minute visit she used half a roll of paper towels to wipe her counters, dry her hands, polish her faucet, etc.  Not the worst crime in the world, but it says something about her lack of awareness about the impact of everyday actions on the planet.  In my house the only time we use paper towels is if the cat pukes.  I think people believe themselves to be eco-friendly because it's nice and in vogue, but to actually put that into everyday action requires consciousness.  IMO the biggest gift we can give the planet and each other is to be aware of how our choices affect the rest of the planet.  It's impossible and exhausting to be on top of every purchase and choice, but when faced with the big-ticket items like procreating, we have the biggest responsibility to be conservative (by which I mean ecologically conservative) in making those decisions.  Twenty-five years ago when my husband and I got married we were thought weird when we said we were only going to have two kids, both of us coming from large families.  At the time, thinking about overpopulation made us as weird as being vegetarian.  Today's couples no longer have the luxury to bring new life to our crowded planet without being aware of the impact of their decision. 

  On Ask Umbra on big families posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago 48 Responses

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  how about pulling invasive plants?

  I have had a fun time teaching local kids to pull invasive plants from the urban woodlands.  You would have to coordinate with whatever government group owns and maintains the property, but it is a great way to get kids outside, learning to ID invasive vs. native plants, educate them regarding the importance of planting only native plants.  You could also possibly arrange with your local government to do some tree/shrub planting.  Controlling invasives and restoring habitat for our native fauna are two very important tasks that will require the volunteer efforts of many hands and kids are already closer to the ground and have energy, hence less work for the old folks.  On Umbra on eco-actions for kids posted 11 months ago 12 Responses

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  dairy but (t)?

  Hi Mary, I've tried the earth balance buttery sticks 3 or 4 times, each time I keep thinking that maybe this time they'll work.  They smell and taste rancid to me.  The tub spread is okay for toast I guess, but it just doesn't taste the same as real butter.  Also, I try to eat "real" food, not stuff that's processed.  I will not be giving up my quest for good substitutes for dairy and eggs in my baking as I have a vegan daughter.  But personally I think I'll probably continue to consume the kindest and smallest amounts of dairy that I can find.  Maybe I  need to do more research on the downside of the organic local farms that I'm buying from.  It's so hard to know where to step to make the lightest imprint on the earth and still enjoy yourself.  On Umbra on homegrown meat posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago 33 Responses

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  problem with website

  I tried to go to the website 5% solution noted in the email entitled "discordant note" and my computer alerted me that it was hinky, just thought I'd pass it on.  If it's a legitimate site, someone should find out why it's coming up as a forgery.  On Theo Chocolate is the country's first organic and fair-trade chocolate-maker posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago 10 Responses

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  dairy and eggs

  I'm vegetarian, but I eat local organic eggs and milk products, albeit sparingly and with a side order of guilt.  I have tried cooking without them, but margarine tastes like petroleum to me and it ruins my baked goods.  Egg replacers don't cook up the same way.  Am I just being spoiled and selfish?  I suspect that the dairy industry does just as much damage to the environment as the cattle industry does.  On Umbra on homegrown meat posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago 33 Responses