Green to Gold

From the bean of Green Bean.

It has been 10 long days since I'd squinted into the sunlight, breathed fresh air, walked without a "walk-run" in my steps. Even longer since I'd not had that film on my hands. The kind that comes from touching other people's castoffs. From folding someone else's bed linens or sorting someone else's wooden trains from plastic action heroes.

But today was it. The last day of our community's three day Rummage Sale event. An event precipitated by months of "eBaying" Jimmy Choo shoes and girl's Gymboree clothing, of selling furniture and bicycles on Craigslist, and of planning with women who'd become my closest friends.

Tomorrow it would all be worth it. We would have raised thousands (and I do mean tens of thousands) of dollars for our cash strapped school. We would have found a new life from millions (billions? there were some nights it felt like billions) of second hand items. And we would finally have clean hands.

.

Fundraising doesn't have to be a dirty business, though. Gone are the days when money for a worth cause could be raised only by hawking virgin wrapping paper and non-fair trade chocolate. I dropped out of the blogging world last spring but into the fundraising one. In a race against budget cuts, we came up with several creative fundraising opportunities that were good for the bank account and the conscience.

Here were some of our ideas.

1) Rummage Sale.

• Find a place to store your donations so that you can start collecting them at least 6 weeks prior to your event.

• Sell higher value items beforehand on eBay, which allows registered non-profits to sell commission-free, or Craigslist. Do your research, though, before listing. It is not always worth it to sell through one of these other avenues but sometimes, you can make much more than through a traditional rummage sale.
• Cull through your donations and sell only ones that are intact and in decent shape - in other words, something you'd buy yourself. Few customers will dig through mounds of dirty linens to find the one comforter set that is in pristine condition. Get rid of the stuff no one will buy and price the remaining items higher. Rejects were mostly donated to thrift stores or, if they were fabric, to places that recycle textiles.
• Give yourself at least a week to organize the sale. Put like with like. Price items after researching on eBay or Craigslist.
• Advertise.
• Line up security. I kid you not!
• And open your doors. We were successful having an opening night for community members only, a opening day for all the public (charging $10 an hour for early birds an hour before we officially opened) and a final, third day where all items were 50% off.
• Have charities lined up to pick up your items that don't sell to facilitate clean up.

2) Fundraising Gardens.

Victory gardens have been a hot topic and many folks now grow their own fruits and vegetables. Many more keep chickens or bees. In addition, some schools have amazingly abundant edible gardens. Harvest all that and sell it! We auctioned off two true CSAs - community supported agriculture - boxes last year. Community members from all over the city contributed fruits, vegetables, eggs and recipes in boxes that will be delivered once a month for the three busiest "food" months of our season.

A farmers' market is another possibility. It might be possible to join an ongoing farmers market for a few months or hold one once a week or once a month at the school or other facility. Get people eating healthy, eating pesticide free, eating local, and paying for it! Talk about win, win, win.

3) Show Off Your Skillz.

Like many of you, I've picked up a number of uncommon skills along my green journey. It may surprise us, but not everyone knows how to can jam, bake bread from scratch, knit a pair of slippers, or plant and maintain an organic garden. These skills are very "in" and people are happy to pay to learn them.

At a charity auction, a friend and I auctioned off a Jam Making party. It was so popular, we were asked to add spots for two additional bidders and were still receiving phone calls the week prior to the party from folks who had lost out but wanted to learn to can. Another friend auctioned off crochet lessons and still another friend auctioned off Indian cooking lessons.

An artisan bread baking party would likely have been just as successful. Even basic cooking from scratch lessons would have made more than scratch. The ideas are endless - how to make a rain barrel, how to keep backyard chickens or bees, a tour of your edible garden, how to green your house in 1 day, and so on.

4) Fruits of Your Labor.

I know the parable about teaching people to fish but, honestly, sometimes people just want the fish. Or, in our case, the jam. At the same charity auction, I collected jars of homemade jam from 12 different members of our community and displayed them all in a thrifted basket. There were a number of bidders and the person who ultimately won the dozen jars of jam said she planned to give them out as hostess gifts through out the year.

I'm guessing that people would also pay to have artisan bread delivered monthly. I know that I, personally, bid on monthly delivery of homemade meals from around the globe - with donors making meals that reflect their culture. The Italian meal was to die for!

5) Go Outside Your Community.

There are plenty of other green fundraising ideas on the Internet. Fair trade coffee. Gift certificates to places like Tonic (aka Green Dimes). Hawking Smencils around Halloween time. Selling fair trade coffee year round. Google "Green Fundraising" and you'll find a million ideas.

So raise green by spreading green!

Conscious Shopper Challenge: Join a Swap Network

The next few weeks of The Conscious Shopper Challenge will focus on developing an attitude of non-consumption. Here's the next challenge in this series:

JOIN A SWAP NETWORK

Image by xlordashx

I'm not sure if "swap network" is a widely used term or if I made it up, so let me explain a little bit...

A swap network is a way to trade stuff, time, and skills with others rather than using money. It can be as simple as unloading some free stuff on Freecycle, or it can be more of a bartering system where you swap one thing to get something else in return. For example, a friend of mine gives my oldest piano lessons, and in exchange, I teach a little preschool class for her son and my youngest.

A swap network can also be a way to borrow or lend things rather than just give stuff away. Say you're a poor college student with a tiny lawn and no lawnmower, and your neighbors are starting to give you the cold shoulder because your lawn has turned into a jungle. (True story, by the way.) Wouldn't it be great to have a network of friends with lawnmowers who would loan you one for a weekend? Or friends with tools? Or a Wii? (Everybody needs a friend with RockBand.)

Ideally, you would swap with people you know, building a sense of community and friendship. You could create a Swap Network with your neighbors, perhaps through your homeowner's association, utilizing your association's newsletter or website for posting needs and wants. You would get to know your neighbors, and the stuff wouldn't have to travel far.

Now that you know what a swap network is, here's how to complete this challenge:

BABY STEPS

• Join Freecycle. This is the simplest type of swap network and a great way to get or give away stuff for free.

JOGGING STRIDE

• Look for other types of swap networks in your community. Some cities have tool lending libraries so you don't have to buy tools you may use only a few times. Sometimes neighborhoods or apartment complexes will have systems in place for swapping books, CDs, and toys. Take advantage of these programs because if people don't use them, they go away.
• Join online swap networks. Examples include Paperback Swap, Swap Mamas, and Swapacd.
  

MARATHON RUNNER

• Host a clothing swap. Do you ever feel like you've been wearing the same clothes for years but don't want to get rid of them because they're still in good condition? Spice up your wardrobe by inviting over some friends for a clothes swap. This is also a great way to trade children's clothing.
• Improve your bartering skills. Who needs money! Figure out what skills you have that you could use to trade for things you want. Are you a good cook? Can you sew? Do you play piano? At the very least, you can always babysit.
• Organize an official swap network. Get a group of friends together, set up a website or other system for posting needs and wants, and trade away. Sample ads could include:

I have a huge pile of baby boy stuff that my kids have outgrown, including an infant carseat, an Exersaucer, a bunch of clothes, and some toys. If you would like any of these things, let me know!

***

I am going to a fancy wedding this weekend. Anyone have a dress I could borrow?

***

I would like to learn to knit. Who knows how and would be willing to share their skills? Could we start a knitting group?

***

Would someone be interested in teaching me to sew in exchange for cooking classes?

Do you have a swap network? What do you barter or swap?

You better believe it

Bleatings from EnviRambo.

Yesterday I attended a birthday party for my husband's 89 year old grandmother. It was a small gathering of family with food and drink. We were all asked to bring a dish to pass, beverages and eating utensils would be provided. As we sat down to eat I noticed that the family behind us hardly had anything on their plates. Some chips, salad, and beans. No meat. My first thought was vegetarian and I immediately wished I had brought mac 'n cheese instead of pulled pork sandwiches. Then my husband reminded me of Ramadan. Their plates weren't empty because they are vegetarian, they were empty because they are Muslim. Then I really regretted bringing the pork. The only other meat option was hot dogs. Lord only knows what those things are made of, but I am pretty sure it involves some pork. Technically Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink between dawn and sunset during Ramadan, but they were granted a travel exemption, having to make up the missed fast at a later date. Pork however is always off limits.

I made a comment to my husband about wishing I had brought mac 'n cheese so they would have more to eat and he replied by saying knowing the situation they were in you think they would be prepared and bring something for themselves. That got me thinking.

I often run into similar situations with my stance on sustainability. This party being one of them. My mother-in-law hosted the party and knows how I feel about plastic and disposables, yet styrofoam plates and plastic utensils abounded. She made a point to say that she would rather not use them and apologized, but should she have to? It's my belief not hers. I appreciate that she is sensitive to the issue, but should I expect her to cater to it? I did bring my own water bottle, cloth napkin, and bamboo cutlery, but left without a plate thinking the ones provided would be paper. They ended up being styrofoam. Who should I be upset with? My mother-in-law? Or, myself for not being better prepared knowing the situation I was going into?

It was kind of an eye-opening moment. One that will push me to provide for myself more. It is going to be a long time before plastic and disposables become the exception. My internal lamenting and grumbling to my husband is not going to hasten the process, but if I start bringing my own reusables to family functions, get-togethers with friends, restaurants, take-out joints, basically everywhere I go, then maybe someone will take note and do the same. And then another and another and eventually society will catch on and restaurants will make the switch. But for now it is my belief not theirs.

Meatless Monday ~ Comfort food

Good morning Boothers! It's Meatless Monday again already. What's cooking at your place?

My kids have only been back in school for a week and already half of the house is sick with colds. The rest are sure to fall soon. Tonight I'm making some comfort food for all of us -- Pinch My Salt's Potato & Leek Soup with home made croutons. Pinch My Salt is one of my favorite food blogs of all time. I owe my love of pumpkin baked goods - and my ability to make pumpkin puree from scratch - to Nicole.

This is the first season that I've cooked with, or been able to identify, leeks and I can't get enough of them! I don't know that they're even really in season right now, but they were on sale at the grocery store and I just couldn't pass them up.

For the croutons, I buy day-old bread on clearance at the store, cut it up into bite-size pieces, spray it with olive oil and sprinkle some spices on it. Sometimes I also add a bit of Parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven on a low heat until they're crunchy.

What's your favorite comfort food or go-to meal when you're just not feeling well?

Don't forget to share your Meatless Monday recipes with us using Mr. Linky below!

First fundraisers of the year...

Greetings from Going Green Mama!

The pencils hadn't even been sharpened yet, and there it was: the first fundraising requests for the school.

Yes, it was plural. Requests.

Because as we learned at the school open house recently, it's all about raising dollars for programs. The cynic in me thought that was what tuition was for.

I don't have a problem with fundraisers per se. In some cases they are needed for special projects or endeavors. But I do have a problem with the message we send to our kids: Buy more crap.

And crap is what it often is. It's wrapping paper, or candy, or microwavable popcorn, or candles or buying frozen and prepackaged food that my waistline could do without (but if you buy three, you get a free pie!). Things we have way too much of. Or its coupon books promising discounts so we can buy more, more, more.

Worse, we push peddling these products. And it's not just for discounts to Scout camp like when we were kids. My coworker lamented that her middle school daughter felt pressured to sell tubs of cookie dough so she could earn a ride in a limo-and didn't want to be the only one not going!

And sadly, it's often not even an option to buy out. I asked a neighbor, who was selling coupon books, how much the group made off of the books, offering to make a donation. She appreciated the offer, but had to sell a certain number.

That all being said, I appreciate the ones that at least have put some thought into it. Like the primary fundraiser at the school is the kids making and selling pizzas - and they offer a "cash donation" option for those just wanting to help. Or the programs that offer environmentally friendly products. Or even simple things like can or paper recycling (doubly great in that it gets rid of all those school papers!)

So how does your school - and your children's activities - handle the fundraising component? And how do you address it within your home?

Collective Roots

This is Jess visiting from Sweet Eventide and I am very honored to share with the Green Phone Booth readers that I am off to meet a high school friend at his new workplace Collective Roots. This is a local organization that is doing amazing work about things I am so passionate about: providing garden-based learning by designing and growing organic gardens on K-12 sites and initiating changes in the food system by increasing access to fresh, local, healthy and affordable produce.

I am going to tour one of their wonderful gardens with my camera in tow and will report back with photographs for my next guest post. Meanwhile you can read about their history, the press they have received and of course, being a modern organization, you can follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook. There are multiple ways to support Collective Roots if you like what they are doing for our planet and our children.

Fall Reading List

School has officially started here and all three of my kiddos are going this year (cue the Hallelujah chorus). After what seemed like an extremely long summer, this means that I finally have time to, well, have a cup of coffee, complete a thought, go to the bathroom without having to stop a fight or answer a question mid-pee and - my favorite - read!

I did manage to whiz through a few parenting books over the summer. I found myself becoming much more of a yeller and threatener than I'd ever planned to be -- and none of it was working -- so I knew it was time to change my plan of attack. I read The Explosive Child first, hoping to find some immediate relief with my very explosive five year old. I didn't get that, but I did come away with a few new ideas.

Love & Logic was next on my list, which really changed my whole approach. In some ways, it built on concepts in The Explosive Child, like working with the child to come up with solutions to problems and disagreements. I also really appreciate the concept of logical consequences instead of just yelling the first threat you can think of. For example, on the way to the library yesterday, my 5 year old was terrorizing his brother. When I asked him to stop he didn't and when I asked him to come and talk to me about it, he refused. Normally I would have taken away the first thing that came to mind. Instead, I used the L&L technique of telling him that I was really upset and I'd have to take some time to think about the consequence for his action. When we arrived at the library, I knew what that consequence was: he was not allowed to pick out a movie like his brother and sister because that was a privilege for children who are kind to their siblings and parents.

I didn't think another book could come close to having the impact that Love & Logic did, but How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk was fantastic. Many of the principals were the same, only How to Talk doesn't use time-outs, which were used (in a way) in Love & Logic. I'd recommend this book to every parent whether you have a difficult child or an angel because it's filled with great insight on how our choice of words affect our children.

Now that I'm armed with a few new parenting tools, I'm turning my attention to some books I've received over the past few weeks:

The Homesteaders Kitchen: Recipes From Farm to Table

In The Homesteader's Kitchen, author Robin Burnside presents wholesome recipes and motherly advice for preparing nourishing meals, tasty embellishments, and luscious desserts. Her focus is on using fruits and vegetables from the family garden or the nearby farmers market. She teaches how to turn these local, organic foods into snacks, meals, and treats that nourish the soul as well as the body. From Multigrain Blueberry Pancakes in the morning, a Creamy Mango-Coconut Smoothie for a snack, a crisp Asian Cabbage Salad for lunch, an evening meal of Grilled Wild Salmon Fillet with Thai Cilantro Pesto, to a dessert of Spicy Pear Pie, Burnside offers mouthwatering recipes that are fun to prepare and a joy to eat.

The author introduces this cookbook in a way that recognizes the connection between body, mind, emotions, environment, and attitude. Since what we eat has a considerable effect on our well-being, this approach to dining takes into account all that goes into the care of feeding humans, including the benefits and consequences of our choices. As consumers, the foods we buy, where they come from, and how we prepare what we purchase must be considered if we are to create a sustainable future for generations to come.

Gourmet Meals in Crappy Little Kitchens

In her debut cookbook, Jennifer Schaertl tackles the myths about gourmet cooking (you don't need expensive cutlery and a gazillion ingredients!) and shows you how to make delectable meals despite the lack of counter space. Everything from appetizers and salads to soups and one-pot wonders to side dishes and entrees, and of course, dessert is included along with Jennifer's tried-and-true advice for working with limited space, appliances, cookware, and ingredients all on a limited budget.

River House

River House is one young woman’s story about returning home to her family’s ranch and, with the help of her father, building a log house on the property. Sarahlee Lawrence grew up in remote central Oregon and spent her days dreaming about leaving her small town for world adventures. An avid river rafter through adolescence, by the age of twenty-one, Lawrence had rafted some of the most dangerous rivers of the world as an accomplished river guide. But living her dream as guide and advocate, riding and cleaning the arteries of the world, led her back to the place she least expected — to her dusty beginnings and her family’s home. River House is a beautiful story about a daughter’s return and her relationship with her father, whom she enlists to help brave the cold winter and build a log house by hand.

Farmer Jane: Women Changing the Way We Eat

As nurturers and caretakers of the health of our children and communities, women have the power and ability to transform the way we eat and farm. Farmer Jane profiles twenty-six women in the sustainable food industry who are working toward a more holistic food system in America a system that ensures our health with wholesome natural foods, protects the earth and wildlife, treats farm workers fairly, and stimulates local economies.

I'm also about 2/3 of the way through Everything I Want to Do Is Illegal: War Stories From the Local Food Front, by Joel Salatin. It's quite the interesting, yet sometimes frustrating, read. I'll be sure to put up a review soon!

What are you reading these days? What's on your list?