Demand the Best

My b'day recently passed so I've been doing a lot of soul searching. One thing that bothers me about the world is our ability to accept mediocrity. Artificial light is not the same as sunlight. Chemicals and processed food aren't the same as real food. Running on the treadmill is not the same as running somewhere pretty. We all make compromises. I don't have a garden anymore, but it's better than commuting 2.5 hours a day like some folks. There's comes a point when your compromise just isn't worth it. Stop accepting mediocrity!

Some people never open their blinds/drapes and just use artificial light. It's not the same, dufus. It doesn't react with your body the same. You don't produce vitamin D from fake light, your eyes grow tired and can't focus the same, some argue that the ions suck the life out of you, and we all bitch about our perceived "color" of the light. Open the blinds and let the sunlight in! It also lets fresh air in. My brother uses a hepa filter instead of religiously opening the windows.

Red lake #5 is not the same as the deep red of a cherry in the winter. You know my friends give me shit for avoiding food coloring? I refuse shitty fake food because I am too good for it. People say that I am a food snob and not everyone can afford to eat the way I do. Sue me, ass wipe. I am a food snob. In the 80s, red M&Ms and hair dye disappeared because they found out that their fake red was causing cancer. Once you get educated, you'll stop giving me shit for avoiding your fast food, processed, and shitty tasting junk food. While we're talking about processed food, fresh food has more nutrients and is more eco-friendly. Demand the best food. Demand local, seasonal, and organic foods! Do you know when apples are in season? No, it's not year round. Learn when your food is available by shopping at the farmers' market. Do you know where your food comes from? Ask your farmer where he grows it. It's important to be connected to everything. Be connected to your food, your family, your friends, and yourself. I've asked my dad to teach my nephew about gardening and food.

That's enough bitching for now.

How to wash your dishes

If you use a dishwasher:
A dish washer (that isn't old as hell) actually uses less water than washing your dishes by hand! This assumes that:
a) You do not rinse your dishes prior to the wash
b) You only run the dish washer when it's full

c) Don't use the heat dry function. Just open the door and air dry it when it's done.
d) Use natural dish washing soap


If you hand wash:
1) Wash 2+ items at a time.
2) Never fill up the sink with water to do the dishes. My mouth drops when I see people do this. We don't live in the 60s!
3) Use cold water. Your hands will thank you.
4) Use natural soap
5) Put soap in a sponge and soap up your dishes with the water turned off.
6) Position the soapy dishes in a pile under the flowing water while rinsing 1 soapy dish in your hand. The water will cascade down and "pre-rinse" the other dishes while you rinse your current dish.
7) Dry your hands on a towel. Not a paper towel.

How to launder your clothes

1) Only wash full loads. No exceptions.
2) Only use cold water. Your clothes will last longer and colors won't bleed.
3) Use the most concentrated detergent possible. Method 3x concentrated detergent is my choice - 64 oz because "bulk" items use less plastic than buying twice as many smaller items. Plus you save money buying in bulk.
4) Wash your clothes inside out except for items that you spilled food on.
5) Always choose the high spin option.
6) Don't dry your clothes. Hang them up to dry. Your clothes will last longer.
7) Leave the washer's lid open so mildew doesn't grow in the machine.

Optional:
8) Look into barrels that store the dirty wash water so you can use it to water your garden.
9) When your washer breaks, replace it with a high efficiency washing machine and get a rebate from your water district.