Tag Archive for lunch

You Otter Try It

The ocean is beautiful! We go once in awhile for a short 45-minute trip there for lunch on the wharf and discussions with the wildlife–birds, sea critters, and people. Recently I was captivated by a young sea otter who relaxed on the pier’s supports while Mom brought him lunch, then snoozed between attempts at exercising his vocal cords. My friend Christine Murphy, who was more than handy with a camera, took the picture below. No matter how tired or stressed I am, it’s amazing how little episodes in nature like this can refresh me, pulling me out of myself and back into this wonderful world I’m such a small part of.

A Small way to Fight Poverty

Think about it: the last poverty statistics (2017) show that 39.7 million people of all ages in our country are suffering from the ravages of poverty.  These are men, women, and children off all ethnic backgrounds.  They are healthy or unhealthy, mentally unstable or perfectly stable, families or individuals, unable to work or have been “downsized” and can’t find work.  In short, poverty can strike anyone at any time–and it has.  We can’t fix our economy overnight, but those of us who are fortunate enough not to be part of the 39.7 million can help through our donations not just of money but of time.

Everyone has a little time to give.  If serving at a soup kitchen takes more than you have, how about spending a few extra minutes while you grocery shop to shop for food items for a local soup kitchen or food pantry? Bake extra cookies for the kitchen or a shelter while you’re baking for your family?  You probably have some time to help an organization serving the homeless by packing sack lunches for distribution to them or sorting clothing at an organization’s clothes closet for people in need. If not, there’s no question that you have a minute to smile and say “Hi” to the homeless man outside the store, thus letting him know that he’s recognized as a human being rather than an objectionable object. After your daughter’s softball game, when you go with the team to pizza, you have a second to invite along as your family’s guest the girl who can’t afford to go. 

In other words, poverty can be fought on the human level–one human being to another.  And you fight the battle in little ways.  As I always say, Small things really DO count!

Wrap it Up!

I don’t mean this as an ad. I don’t do ads here. But I just discovered something that is practical, reusable (just wash them), biodegradable, and organic–the total package!

We all know about the growing plastic garbage patch in our oceans and about wildlife dying after eating or getting tangled in plastic. What’s probably one of your biggest uses of plastic, especially if you have kids? Plastic wrap and containers.

Check out the Etee Food Wraps. Perfect for lunch box items, preserving cut vegetables, storing things like banana bread, covering bowls in the fridge…all sorts of things. The odd (and nice) part is that the more you buy the less expensive they are–a Family pack (16) is $4 cheaper than a Starter Pack (3), and shipping is free.

Again, I’m sorry if this comes across as an ad. I get excited about products that are good for me and for the environment.

A Lunch to Chew On

A simple sandwich takes about 172 gals. of water to make a loaf of bread and lots more for the meat and veggies to go into it.  Save water by using organic lettuce and tomatoes from a sustainable, water-wise garden and make the sandwich open-faced.

Leaf 6

[For more easy, money-saving, earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000 or your favorite e-book seller and download to your computer or e-book device. Totally free, with no strings attached.]