Bahhh. Now is the transition from classes to fieldwork. I have to work on my thesis as well as apply for jobs. I am very glad to be done with classes forever though. Now I can study things I actually want to study.
Applying for jobs is a lot of work though. I want something interesting, more than anything. We shall see.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
I have a new side interest: reading blogs of people doing the "paleo" diet. It's so funny, because they're so similar to the raw vegans, though what they allow is much different: meat, meat, some veg, berries, some starch, cooked is generally okay. As far as doing what they think is natural, and searching for the perfect diet, they are nearly the same. I feel like an anthropologist, wading through the claims of perfect health and all-problems-vanishing. It's true that we can control more than we sometimes think--but far more often, we have no control over things that happen.
In the meantime, I am thinking that a great sandwich would consist of: 80% chocolate squares with a nut butter inside. Not perfect anything, but delicious and not too sweet. Mmmm....
In the meantime, I am thinking that a great sandwich would consist of: 80% chocolate squares with a nut butter inside. Not perfect anything, but delicious and not too sweet. Mmmm....
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Herbal teas!
Today is a beautiful day! I'm finishing up classes, getting ready for the summer and looking over my resume. In the background, the sky is so blue and it's warm enough to wear dresses.
I've been experimenting with herbal teas a lot lately, going by my gut feeling. I imagine what each will feel like, once taken into my body. I've been spending a lot of time by the bulk herb and spice jars at the coop! I'm also gathering edible weeds again, and juicing them with lemons. It doesn't always taste that great, but I know it's good for me.
Some of the teas:
-hibiscus--high in vitamin C, it makes up "te de jamaica" in Spanish (not sure which countries). I add this because it tastes good. Adds a red hue. I wonder if this is the major ingredient in that "Red Zinger" tea (Celestial Seasonings).
-nettle--recommended for allergies. It can often be gathered, just watch out for the stinging! It was pretty cheap in bulk, so I just bought that.
-pau d'arco--supposed to be good for lots of different things. Just tastes like bark or something. It's very mildly bitter, so not hard to take.
-licorice (the real stuff)--sweet, supposed to help with digestion at times
-mint--I sometimes add for the flavor
-echinacea--I *love* the flavor of the Traditional Medicinals echinacea teas. However, the bulk tea isn't the same as their particular mix, so it doesn't taste the same. It doesn't taste like much at all. I should figure out what else is in it, that I like so much, if it can be pinned down to one herb. Maybe it is that mix, though.
-Yerba mate. The bitterness feels right for me at this time, and it gives a gentle morning boost.
Other ones I would like to try:
-lemongrass (yummy)
-cat's claw (had this in Peru, supposed to be good for almost everything, harder to find here)
-there was a bulk decaffeinated mango green tea in bulk at Greenstar. It smelled sooooo good!~
I've been experimenting with herbal teas a lot lately, going by my gut feeling. I imagine what each will feel like, once taken into my body. I've been spending a lot of time by the bulk herb and spice jars at the coop! I'm also gathering edible weeds again, and juicing them with lemons. It doesn't always taste that great, but I know it's good for me.
Some of the teas:
-hibiscus--high in vitamin C, it makes up "te de jamaica" in Spanish (not sure which countries). I add this because it tastes good. Adds a red hue. I wonder if this is the major ingredient in that "Red Zinger" tea (Celestial Seasonings).
-nettle--recommended for allergies. It can often be gathered, just watch out for the stinging! It was pretty cheap in bulk, so I just bought that.
-pau d'arco--supposed to be good for lots of different things. Just tastes like bark or something. It's very mildly bitter, so not hard to take.
-licorice (the real stuff)--sweet, supposed to help with digestion at times
-mint--I sometimes add for the flavor
-echinacea--I *love* the flavor of the Traditional Medicinals echinacea teas. However, the bulk tea isn't the same as their particular mix, so it doesn't taste the same. It doesn't taste like much at all. I should figure out what else is in it, that I like so much, if it can be pinned down to one herb. Maybe it is that mix, though.
-Yerba mate. The bitterness feels right for me at this time, and it gives a gentle morning boost.
Other ones I would like to try:
-lemongrass (yummy)
-cat's claw (had this in Peru, supposed to be good for almost everything, harder to find here)
-there was a bulk decaffeinated mango green tea in bulk at Greenstar. It smelled sooooo good!~
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Beautiful summary day today! I went to the farmer's market and a compost fair--I am in love with the idea of a composting toilet (recycling nutrients!). They do NOT smell, but you have to manage it like any compost pile.
I also went shopping in the bulk herbs and spices section. I must have spent 20 minutes, looking around, trying to listen to my gut: "How will I feel if I ingest this?" In the end, I left with not as much as I wanted (but I have ideas for the future!): onion granules (more for flavor than medicinal purposes), hibiscus (for tea), nettle (for tea--helps with allergies), and ginger (for medicinal purposes). I've been making loose teas with my mini-French press, originally for coffee (got it for my bday). It works great.
Have also been mixing coconut flour with water or almond milk, cinnamon, and a little stevia powder. Coconut flour is expensive but I love it so much!
I also went shopping in the bulk herbs and spices section. I must have spent 20 minutes, looking around, trying to listen to my gut: "How will I feel if I ingest this?" In the end, I left with not as much as I wanted (but I have ideas for the future!): onion granules (more for flavor than medicinal purposes), hibiscus (for tea), nettle (for tea--helps with allergies), and ginger (for medicinal purposes). I've been making loose teas with my mini-French press, originally for coffee (got it for my bday). It works great.
Have also been mixing coconut flour with water or almond milk, cinnamon, and a little stevia powder. Coconut flour is expensive but I love it so much!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
My new favorite flour is coconut flour! It is naturally a bit sweet and delicious, and makes great cookies. Would make a nice grain-less cake, too. Use some good quality coconut oil to stick it all together..mmmm.... I added cinnamon, too.
It's a rainy, chilly day. I'm going to have to take a hot bath :)
It's a rainy, chilly day. I'm going to have to take a hot bath :)
Friday, April 23, 2010
reading reading
I'm looking for new books to investigate through Amazon. The reviews that are 4 or 3 stars are usually the best--they will honestly point out flaws without being married to ideology, like many (not all!) of the 1 or 5 star reviews. I'm going through the Paleo books--like raw vegan but with meat instead of so much fruit and veggies, and some of them do cook. So interesting how similar they are; now I can clearly see why people distrust all ideologies. People just take what fits and ignore what doesn't. (note: many of them tried a strict vegan or raw vegan diet. So there are more similarities than not).
Partly it's fascinating to me because it's so different from what I like--instinctively, I think it's better to avoid eating animals, but the Paleo meals sounds so disgusting to me! I really never liked animal fat, and it wasn't because my parents discouraged it at all (they didn't). It's so interesting that some people have completely different preferences from me. It's a little easier to stomach reading about than the typical SAD food eater, because at least the Paleo people are minorly concerned about animal welfare. Anyway, I do like raw vegan food (just not the restrictiveness) and I am not going "Paleo" at all, but I like to read about experiences totally different from my own. (FYI--my favorite kind of meat, right before going vegetarian, was dry, white chicken. It seemed more like paper than an animal. This is not what the Paleo eater recommend eating. They are 180 from me).
Who can be so strict forever? I like hanging out with vegan-friendly people (vegan-friendly enough to share a vegan meal with me, but do whatever they feel is right for them), and leaving it at that. Whatever else they do, as long as they are nice enough and trying their best, is fine. I want to keep mellowing out as I age ;)
Partly it's fascinating to me because it's so different from what I like--instinctively, I think it's better to avoid eating animals, but the Paleo meals sounds so disgusting to me! I really never liked animal fat, and it wasn't because my parents discouraged it at all (they didn't). It's so interesting that some people have completely different preferences from me. It's a little easier to stomach reading about than the typical SAD food eater, because at least the Paleo people are minorly concerned about animal welfare. Anyway, I do like raw vegan food (just not the restrictiveness) and I am not going "Paleo" at all, but I like to read about experiences totally different from my own. (FYI--my favorite kind of meat, right before going vegetarian, was dry, white chicken. It seemed more like paper than an animal. This is not what the Paleo eater recommend eating. They are 180 from me).
Who can be so strict forever? I like hanging out with vegan-friendly people (vegan-friendly enough to share a vegan meal with me, but do whatever they feel is right for them), and leaving it at that. Whatever else they do, as long as they are nice enough and trying their best, is fine. I want to keep mellowing out as I age ;)
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
My lab partner just told me she is leaving this school at the end of the semester. She went straight from undergrad to grad school, and will have only finished her first year. I really like her, she's down to earth and came from an environmental science background. She doesn't get along well with her adviser and finds school very stressful. It was funny how easily I could tell she'd made the right decision--her energy just seemed so much brighter, and lighter. She won't have a degree, but at least she doesn't have debt from this, either, so she'll be fine.
Then, a couple of MS-PhDs told me they are considering stopping after their MS. I can't blame them! It's so funny. I am very at peace with where I am, but I have just eight months left. Exciting!
I also learned about a new, more sustainable fertilization method-- human urine (a *sterile* product). It's a rich source of N and P in it, which are often limiting. This is often done in Asia, but the stigma here leads us to being more wasteful. We take the nutrients out of the soil, and flush them down the drain, where the concentrated nutrients make trouble elsewhere. Some are investigating a method of precipitating the essential part of urine into a solid form. This might help with the stigma, and make it easier (lighter than liquid) to transport. Very cool, once we examine and question our assumptions! Humanure is cool too, but more issues with pathogens. Humanure also helps close the loop!
Then, a couple of MS-PhDs told me they are considering stopping after their MS. I can't blame them! It's so funny. I am very at peace with where I am, but I have just eight months left. Exciting!
I also learned about a new, more sustainable fertilization method-- human urine (a *sterile* product). It's a rich source of N and P in it, which are often limiting. This is often done in Asia, but the stigma here leads us to being more wasteful. We take the nutrients out of the soil, and flush them down the drain, where the concentrated nutrients make trouble elsewhere. Some are investigating a method of precipitating the essential part of urine into a solid form. This might help with the stigma, and make it easier (lighter than liquid) to transport. Very cool, once we examine and question our assumptions! Humanure is cool too, but more issues with pathogens. Humanure also helps close the loop!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
good times....
More often than being honked at by drivers in Ithaca, I am given a helpful tip--like once, something fell out of my bag, and today, I had a string dangling down by my wheel. People are so much nicer in a small town!
There have been some days in the 70s and 80s lately. Today was warm but gray, lovely enough.
There is going to be an event with community gardeners from NYC speaking here, that I am a part of. Exciting stuff!
There have been some days in the 70s and 80s lately. Today was warm but gray, lovely enough.
There is going to be an event with community gardeners from NYC speaking here, that I am a part of. Exciting stuff!
Friday, April 2, 2010
vegas, part 3--casino
It's gotten up to 89 today, and the farmer's market starts tomorrow! It was freezing yesterday, but I am so excited by this sun!
OK--Vegas. I did stop by some casinos. I didn't gamble, just observed. At the Luxor, there was a girl dancing. I suppose she was technically an adult, but she looked younger than my 21-yr old sister! That was pretty sad. They are real humans up there, but it feels like people forget that. There were also flashing lights, lots of sounds (music and whirring noises from machines). I guess that's it--if you've seen one, you've seen em all.
I did manage to sneak into a spa for $10--the price for guests. I was supposed to pay $30, but they thought I was a guest because my friend was. Free fruit, water, juice, sauna, hot tub, steam room, bathroom and slippers--it was amazing! The massage was $75 for 25 minutes, so I declined--I would have done it for 60 minutes at that price, though.
All in all, a great experience. Camping better than casinos, though :)
OK--Vegas. I did stop by some casinos. I didn't gamble, just observed. At the Luxor, there was a girl dancing. I suppose she was technically an adult, but she looked younger than my 21-yr old sister! That was pretty sad. They are real humans up there, but it feels like people forget that. There were also flashing lights, lots of sounds (music and whirring noises from machines). I guess that's it--if you've seen one, you've seen em all.
I did manage to sneak into a spa for $10--the price for guests. I was supposed to pay $30, but they thought I was a guest because my friend was. Free fruit, water, juice, sauna, hot tub, steam room, bathroom and slippers--it was amazing! The massage was $75 for 25 minutes, so I declined--I would have done it for 60 minutes at that price, though.
All in all, a great experience. Camping better than casinos, though :)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
vegas, part 2--field trips and death valley
We had two days of horticultural field trips, one after another, starting bright and early. The first day, we toured some overpriced suites ($40,000/day--amazing!) and learned about the crazy practices at 5-star hotels at the Bellagio. They have many plants that can't live in Vegas, so everyday they throw them out and replace them. Amazing. We also went to a completely unsustainable golf course, one that costs $500 for a game. It looked like summer in MN: dark green turf, lakes, ducks. Not desert.
Then we went to a less-ridiculous golf course--the areas where you would hit the ball were turf, but the rest (more than half) was desert landscaping, to save on water costs. It was a much cheaper golf course.
The next day, we learned about vegetables and grapes (for wine). They can compost and build raised beds for veggies, but they must irrigate the plants directly. Otherwise nothing will grow. There are more and less efficient ways of doing this. I got to try fresh asparagus out of the ground, yum!
Last we went to a vineyard. I did a wine tasting (my first ever, despite being by the Finger Lakes!) and then since we were only an hour away from Death Valley, my camping buddies and I decided to head out there!
Death Valley was amazing--amazing landscape, salt, land formations. Highly recommended. You can go hiking, but we had limited time.
TBC....
Then we went to a less-ridiculous golf course--the areas where you would hit the ball were turf, but the rest (more than half) was desert landscaping, to save on water costs. It was a much cheaper golf course.
The next day, we learned about vegetables and grapes (for wine). They can compost and build raised beds for veggies, but they must irrigate the plants directly. Otherwise nothing will grow. There are more and less efficient ways of doing this. I got to try fresh asparagus out of the ground, yum!
Last we went to a vineyard. I did a wine tasting (my first ever, despite being by the Finger Lakes!) and then since we were only an hour away from Death Valley, my camping buddies and I decided to head out there!
Death Valley was amazing--amazing landscape, salt, land formations. Highly recommended. You can go hiking, but we had limited time.
TBC....
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
another vegas story
I have to keep writing about Vegas... but I'm momentarily blank. One story: I stopped at a gas station, where a perfectly nice attendant saw my passport (since I had lost my other ID). We chatted casually and he said, "You know, if Obama has his way with the immigration bill, we'll all have to have these when we go between states.
"Obama is a COMMUNIST. The Republicans tried to warn us...and I voted for him anyway. And now I see they're right."
"Hmmm..." I replied "You know, a lot of people say things about his bills that aren't exactly true."
"No, I read it myself. I read the whole thing."
I thanked him and ran out of there.
What was he talking about? There is no immigration bill right now and there's no way that's true. I will criticize Obama plenty (for being too similar to past presidents), but there is no way he has interest in any of those things the man claimed. It was nuts, but I am told this is typical for Nevada. Hmmm....
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I had a great realization yesterday. R feels the same. Now that we know our time is limited, we love Ithaca! We love how we can walk everywhere, from the bar to a friend's house to home. Almost everyone is nice. It is beautiful. I have a nice routine where I go to the coops regularly. There are lots of concerned people trying to improve things (not so many, but compared to most places). I guess it takes a very long time to become comfortable in a new place.
"Obama is a COMMUNIST. The Republicans tried to warn us...and I voted for him anyway. And now I see they're right."
"Hmmm..." I replied "You know, a lot of people say things about his bills that aren't exactly true."
"No, I read it myself. I read the whole thing."
I thanked him and ran out of there.
What was he talking about? There is no immigration bill right now and there's no way that's true. I will criticize Obama plenty (for being too similar to past presidents), but there is no way he has interest in any of those things the man claimed. It was nuts, but I am told this is typical for Nevada. Hmmm....
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I had a great realization yesterday. R feels the same. Now that we know our time is limited, we love Ithaca! We love how we can walk everywhere, from the bar to a friend's house to home. Almost everyone is nice. It is beautiful. I have a nice routine where I go to the coops regularly. There are lots of concerned people trying to improve things (not so many, but compared to most places). I guess it takes a very long time to become comfortable in a new place.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Vegas--part 1
Great trip to Las Vegas area. I'm waiting to get photos from friends.
Two friends and I camped in Red Red Canyon, which was gorgeous. Sadly, it was not hot, but the landscape was amazing. It was dry (of course, the desert!), windy, with beautiful land formations. One friend is a fan of natural history and was able to explain the origin of the area. We were also able to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the Vegas strip. We spent some time there, enough to know what it was all about, but I didn't gamble or drink there at all. We did go to the spa with our friends who were staying at the hotel--they assumed we were too, so we got spa access for only $10: use of bathrobe and slippers, sauna, hot tub, showers, free juices/waters and fruit.
Two friends and I camped in Red Red Canyon, which was gorgeous. Sadly, it was not hot, but the landscape was amazing. It was dry (of course, the desert!), windy, with beautiful land formations. One friend is a fan of natural history and was able to explain the origin of the area. We were also able to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the Vegas strip. We spent some time there, enough to know what it was all about, but I didn't gamble or drink there at all. We did go to the spa with our friends who were staying at the hotel--they assumed we were too, so we got spa access for only $10: use of bathrobe and slippers, sauna, hot tub, showers, free juices/waters and fruit.
Monday, March 22, 2010
spring...
Ithaca is so nice now that I know my time is limited. It always was, but now I'm really enjoying it all. The beautiful sunsets, the gorges, the greenery, the blossoms, all the gardens in people's yards.
Weds I go to Nevada! We arrive late, so we're staying in a hostel the first night, but the next three nights will be spent camping in a nearby state park! I wish it were warmer (it will get down to the 50s at night), but it will be fun. The best thing about going to the Tree of Life was seeing the mountainous desert, so I'm excited to see a new kind of desert (flat? non-mountainous?).
Weds I go to Nevada! We arrive late, so we're staying in a hostel the first night, but the next three nights will be spent camping in a nearby state park! I wish it were warmer (it will get down to the 50s at night), but it will be fun. The best thing about going to the Tree of Life was seeing the mountainous desert, so I'm excited to see a new kind of desert (flat? non-mountainous?).
Thursday, March 18, 2010
A lady (teacher) is blogging about the school lunch at her school here. Ahhh, brings me back to the days of picking at my lunch and throwing it away, coming back to class hungrier than I started, and getting a nice huge snack as soon as I came home. Obviously I am spoiled, to have experienced self-imposed hunger. But really... the lunches are no good.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
I'm watching the movie Yoga, Inc (free on Hulu.com). There is this part of me that wants to know how to be snobby about yoga--I am doing it for the right reasons, and everyone else is stupid and materialistic. So instead, I'm becoming spiritually materialistic, eh? Or maybe it's just interesting and it makes sense that it would get popular in that way in this country. It loses a lot when it becomes a fitness routine, but then people who are interested can pursue more. So maybe this is just how it goes. It's interesting enough.
This makes me not interested in Bikram yoga, though. I would do the practice (sounds too hot for me though), but I'm not a fan of copyrighting poses and all that.
This makes me not interested in Bikram yoga, though. I would do the practice (sounds too hot for me though), but I'm not a fan of copyrighting poses and all that.
I'm officially sick. Not horribly so, but sneezing and coughing and all that jazz. But today is sunny again, and hopefully warmer. The greyness in Ithaca just weighs so heavily...
Despite the sickness, I'm doing spring cleaning. Getting rid of all the junk in the house. I've been a spice pack rat in the kitchen and a clothing pack rat in the bedroom.
Despite the sickness, I'm doing spring cleaning. Getting rid of all the junk in the house. I've been a spice pack rat in the kitchen and a clothing pack rat in the bedroom.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
