Competitive Sprouting

Green thumb competition sprouts romantic teasing. In some areas, health foodies feel the time warp to the pre-living foods boom that brought alfalfa, clover and other sprouts to the neighborhood supermarket. My honey and I decided our only recourse would be growing our own. Sounded more like work than play before we visited the bulk foods store and spent like crazy for alfalfa, millet and mung beans.

The Materials
seeds; water; sealable sprouting containers like jars or boxes in glass, plastic or acrylic; tea strainer and cloth scraps

The Method
Place one teaspoon alfalfa seeds in sprouting container and cover with at least an inch or two of water. Let sit overnight to open the seed casing for germination. In the morning drain using the tea strainer or cloth scraps. Let the seeds drain for a few minutes and then place in the sprouting container and seal. Place in a warm spot or an area with natural light. I used the kitchen window in the sun. My honey chose the fireplace mantle in the living room. Rinse the seeds and then the sprouts each morning and evening.

The Competition
We took advantage of the variables. Separate containers. Sprouting location. How dry to keep the seeds. Cover options. Whether to add a dry cloth for a sprouting bed. Music genre to play. Gently rolled or shaken up. Talking to the plants. Up to a point science controls the outcome, then experience and art take over.

"You've grown a mass of unruly snakes."

Yes, mine looks like a luscious pile of tangled sprouts. My honey grew an orderly patch of white stems with bright green tips. I couldn't think of a good comeback line and chose to avoid a cliche like 'they all taste the same'.

The Benefits
What started as a little competition may turn into an all out foodie war, but the best part is both sides win. According to Dr. Gillian McKeith in Living Food for Health, sprouts provide plenty of antioxidant vitamins, enzymes, trace minerals, chlorophyll and fiber.

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Is that Love in the Air Contagious?

With Valentine's Day people and especially marketing professionals focus on LOVE. Often thought to be an exclusive holiday for couples, it is a wonderful time to visit family and friends.

I purchased a pack of recycled paper Valentines, though I could have made my own from scraps of craft paper and fabric. I splurged on good quality chocolate. To be more eco-friendly give local treats.

My honey and I made a list of people who weren't as likely to be remembered on Valentine's Day and set out with our goodies and cards. Everyone we visited gave us surprised smiles and had a romantic story to share with us. Their reminiscences made us feel more romantic too and glad we'd taken the time. Sharing love sparks more love. And isn't that what life is all about?

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“My Green Goddess”

I'm not one of those ladies who gets up an hour early to style my hair and apply makeup to look perfect. I insist on natural beauty, without trying to look commercial perfect, but I love to feel pampered. Seeing me in various stages of spa treatments is nothing new. While preparing for our evening out, I wandered upstairs to apply a honey, aloe and avocado mask to my face, neck and décolletage. I thought nothing of wandering back downstairs.

My honey didn't look up from reading a technology magazine and proceeded to read me highlights from a research article. Our eyes met as usual in private couple's communication for passing non-verbal messages. Conversation stopped mid-sentence.

“My green goddess.” After tasting the mask my honey asked, “How long do you have to leave it on?”

I'm sure I blinked at the question and maintained silence because I thought it might have been shock or disapproval. I shouldn't have worried.

“You couldn't look bad if you tried. Just I'm already dressed and I'd hate to wear my appetizer all evening.” Aww, romance lives and breathes due to humor.

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Romantic Use of Time

My honey and I tried an experiment to determine how much time we spend together or doing things for each other because we often hear one complaint from people. “We’d be able to have romance if it wasn’t for children, jobs etc.” True enough sometimes I think we take for granted some of the things we do like daily chores as benefiting our selves and others too.

Here’s how our typical day breaks down.
My honey – 51.8% of time with me or for me, 25% chores and work
Me – 40.6% time with my honey, 16.1% cooking, 37.5% working

Our times don’t add up to 100% because of incidentals like grooming, exercise, email, taking breaks and personal time. Surprise! My honey spent more time for my benefit than I though. We each recorded three intentional hugs throughout the day, multiple quick kisses and numerous ‘thank yous” We also eat our meals together. Despite varying schedules day to day we appreciate every moment we spend together and we discovered even though we have tasks and outside responsibilities the majority of our time is spent on our relationship. Even work can be considered for us because we both enjoy the results.

Try keeping a record and you might be surprised as we were how many romantic or necessary things we do for each other.

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Amateur Trackers We Are

Winter is the best time to develop tracking skills because snow creates almost forensic-quality imprints. After studying several guides on identifying animals and behavior by their tracks, we set out on a warm sunny day (if 26 degrees F is considered warm). We started with the exercise path before heading deeper into our urban wilds. Don’t laugh we worked on guessing gender and size of the Homo sapiens who’d been there before us and Canis lupus familiaris (dog) was also easy. Our observational skills and the guide also helped us identify squirrel, rabbit and fox.

We were fooled though the next weekend when we planned an outdoor adventure with another couple. We had reservations at an outdoor lodge and the blizzard conditions weren’t stopping us. With the guys in the front bucket seats and the gals in the backseat we drove along the major highway at about 25mph. Headed into the snowstorm we thought the big flakes became mesmerizing picked up by the headlights in the dark.

My honey saw tracks. “It might be a moose.”

The guys kept lookout eager to see a moose up close. “I see it,” one of them yelled.

“Yeah, if moose wear parkas and running shoes.” Us urban trackers should have picked up on the first sign. We passed an abandoned car on the side of the road about half a mile back.

Grab a guide, learn some signs and get out in nature with someone you care about. Happy tracking.

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Endings and Beginnings

Every day offers new possibilities. For my honey and I 2010 begins where 2009 leaves off. Does this justify a celebration? Of course, especially for romantic reasons.

Who we’ve met – humans as social beings enjoy connections with others to share ideas and enjoy camaraderie. Our acquaintances expanded from attending a wedding, reaching out to new neighbors and regular visits to the public library.

What we’ve done – we share our accomplishments. We’re both looking to the future and everything we’ve done individually or as a couple is a joint effort. This year publications increased and I’m especially proud of inclusion in Cern Zoo (and it's top secret which story is mine until next year - perhaps you can guess).

Where we want to go – we prefer to not make resolutions though we do set goals. Our romantic destinations for the coming year include a moonlight picnic by the lake, toad hollow to learn more about ecosystems and human effect on them, to the top of a mountain (any mountain) and at least one public lecture.

How we plan to get there – laugh a lot. Rocky patches become less tragic when we take them less seriously. We enjoy collecting humorous anecdotes and share our memories. This year we’ve added to our “inside jokes” with a heart to heart with a monkey, the draw of our magnetic personalities to draw others to us at concerts and going up a tree and out on the limb

Why we choose to go forward together – Our commitment to each other is our absolute and to that end we make time together a priority. As situations arise we adapt physically and philosophically. May you take advantage of many opportunities in the coming year and joy in the ability to share them with someone you love. Join us as we find new dating possibilities that are environmentally friendly. Thank you for spending this past year with us.

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Season of Gifts – Family and Friends

A commitment to sustainable lifestyle doesn’t mean eschewing all things commercial during the holiday season. My honey and I aren’t lavish givers, though we do enjoy a little shopping as eco-elves. Shopping during the holidays makes a beautiful date especially if you love being around other people like I do. Choosing gifts is harder and we’ve come up with a few guidelines we use.

Know the recipient – make gifts personal and don’t bother giving something that will be returned for a refund. If the recipient loves hot chocolate how about two mugs, a jar of organic, rainforest friendly or fair trade chocolate mix and maybe a comfy blanket or quilt. We also love to give trees for planting and books.

Hand-knit socks – so, knowing how to knit is a must, but choosing the wool yarn from small, local producers and spending time making the socks adds something special to the gift. And the socks seem extra warm and cozy

A craft – artists and crafters can create one-of-a-kind gifts for family and friends. Some artists hesitate to give this type of gift afraid it makes them look cheap. Have no fear, this gift becomes ever more precious throughout the years. I painted a picture for my wall of a waterfall; my grandmother loved it so I gave it to her. She kept it through two moves one to assisted living and then to the nursing home. The painting is now back on my wall and is more precious because my grandmother loved it so much.

Tickets – entertainment is expensive and providing tickets for two and offering to baby sit if the couple has children allows for a needed evening out for them and an evening of fun with borrowed children for you.

Fill a need – if someone you know really needs a set of dishes, a kitchen table or to have windows washed, go ahead and grant the wish. For bigger items check out thrift stores and second hand to find one that can be refurbished. For recipients of fixed incomes consider, slippers, warm sweaters and sweatshirts, lap blankets or a few good books on tape (if they have something to play them on). Don’t be afraid to re-gift or buy used and let the recipient know of was to pass them on if they are interested.

Gift Bags – Fill a reusable canvas shopping bag with non-perishable food, favorite snacks, a bottle of wine or sparkling cider or perhaps eco-friendly soap, lotion and massage oil as well as spa tools. Be creative as you show that living environmentally friendly can be a pleasure

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