weekend sightings.

Spotted around the casa this past weekend…

{fresh blooms} i’ve been happily reminded of all the beautiful perennials we have in our yard.

{pretty packaging} how could you say no to this? great marketing, starbucks - you got me.

{DIY - in progress} our front door is taped and prepped for a fresh new coat of paint. can you guess what color? (find out later this week!)

{fave garage sale find #1} .50 cents for this old industrial gem, rust and all.

{fave garage sale find #2} 1945 champagne box, aka a stylish + unique storage piece that doubles as art, and was only $3.

Lots of fun posts coming to the blog soon including a façade makeover (the door above will make a come back in that post) and our DIY vegetable garden. Stay tuned!

 

local shop spotlight: EGG|PLANT

I recently came across a quaint, sustainable-savvy shop in St. Paul worth raving about. Enter Egg|Plant Urban Farm Supply store. I’m a huge fan of supporting local + family-owned businesses and after stopping at this one and shopping around, I could quickly see that it had “repeat-customer” written all over it.

While the shop itself is on the small side, it boasts an abundance of merchandise that might make you wish you had a cart. Among the shop’s vast range of products you’ll find a large selection of all things necessary for creating an urban backyard homestead. Whether you’re looking to dabble in chicken-raising or try your hand at organic gardening, Egg|Plant is your go-to shop! You’ll also come across items for composting, homemade brewing, fermenting, cheese making, canning, preserving, plus more! In addition, the shop offers a variety of classes on the majority of those topics to provide you with everything you need to know on the subject.

If you’re curious about learning how you can be more sustainable (even in an urban city-setting), or are simply looking for resources/supplies on a particular homesteading task like those mentioned above, I highly recommend making a stop at Egg|Plant.

Have you come across any new shops lately that has earned a spot on your favorites list?

summer reading list.

{original image source unknown}

 [ 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 ]

Here are just a handful of the books I’d like to cross off my “to-read” list this summer. (You can see the full list here). What are some of the books on your summer reading list, or what are some of your recommendations?

DIY: trunk transformation.

A brief background… my parents had these old and ugly cedar-lined trunks sitting in their garage for quite some time. As ugly as they were, I knew the potential they had to become something special, so I persistently asked if I could have them since they were just sitting around unused. The ‘rents finally gave in and gave them to me. And this magic makeover quickly followed suit:

reflective gold + a rusting bottom = need for an emergency facelift

I wiped down the trunk’s exterior, removed the front hardware, and taped off the trim detailing. This proved to be a much more time-consuming task than I had anticipated (although you wouldn’t think so just looking at it), so only one of the two trunks received the complete makeover. I took out the spray paint and this is where the magic happened.

Are you ready for this!? The AFTER:

Isn’t she a beaut? The trunk’s new and improved state is all thanks to a coat of the amazing Rust-Oleum Universal Spray Paint in the finish ‘satin white.’ The wonders of spray paint, I tell ya. It’s an amazing thing. And to top it all off, I was floored after coming across the price tags on these two similar pieces: Source 1, Source 2.

So where is it now?

The transformed trunk made its way to our bedroom as a beside table. It’s great because aside from being a bedside table, it also makes for an excellent hidden storage solution for things like blankets, books, etc. I’ll be sure to post an updated photo once I get the other one in the room, too. (Heck, I might as well post an updated bedroom tour, come to think of it!) I figure if I ever get sick of these trunks as bedside tables, they could also be placed next to one another and easily serve as a chic coffee table, kinda like this. Oh the possibilities!

Have you completed any DIY projects or given a furniture item a new look lately? I’d love to hear about it!

weekend sightings.

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Here are a few sightings from mine:

{organic tomato plants} We’re happy to see that these plants we started from seed are thriving and they’ll be ready to be transplanted outside in just a few weeks!

{DIY project} This atrocious reflective gold trunk got a mega makeover this weekend. (Full recap coming to the blog later this week!) Let’s just say I’m kind of obsessed with the new and improved version.

{coffee + a good read} A relaxing morning on the patio with a new magazine and delicious coffee — need I say more?

{cheese, tomato & fried egg sandwich} A new favorite combo of mine. I also think mashed avocado would be an EGGcellent addition (sorry, couldn’t help myself).

{chillin’ chicken} Our chickens enjoyed free-ranging this past weekend and celebrated with several dirt baths and naps in the shade. They also assisted in the making of my delicious sandwich pictured above!

{new plant} My office got a green upgrade with the addition of this fern. (Read more about the benefits of indoor plants here).

{summer scent} So long, cinnamon! You’ve been replaced with this guy.

five things.

image via.

Happy Friday, friends! A quick shout-out to all my fellow Minnesotans who are rejoicing about the fact that we reached the mid-60s today for the first time, not to mention the prediction of temps in the low 70s later this weekend. Hallelujah, huh?! I even opened a few windows in the house today. Ahh-mazing.

Aside from sweet sunshine-filled days like today, here are five things I’m looking forward to most this season, in no particular order: 1. the farmers market // 2. garage sales // 3. iced coffee // 4. gardening // 5. fresh flowers. All such simple, yet gratifying distinguishers of spring + summer. Oh, and if I had a bike like the one above, I’d really be set.

What about you – what are the things you’re most looking forward to this season?

Enjoy the weekend!

why i’m breaking up with Clif.

If you got around to reading my “healthy living: knowledge is power” post from last week, then you know I am fully immersed in the search for what being healthy really means, which goes beyond just ‘eating right’ and exercising in today’s world. As I dig deeper, I discover more and more about the tricky tactics being used in America’s food industry among everything from disguising harmful ingredients to false advertising on packaging – ultimately making it a painstaking challenge to eat truly healthy. Sad, huh? And although I am well aware of industry’s sly ways (and have been for a while), even I was recently duped. Here’s how it went down…

Lately I’ve been on a documentary kick (they’re surprisingly addicting), and my latest sit-down was with ‘Hungry for Change.’ There is a brief portion of the film that emphasizes the addictive properties of MSG and free glutamates (now used in about 80% of all processed foods for that reason) and their ability to make us fat over time. I immediately thought, “Welp, good thing I don’t have to worry about that because I don’t eat junky processed foods.” However, the film then revealed shortly thereafter that those particular ingredients often go unnoticed on food labels because they are disguised with different names such as hydrolyzed soy protein, free glutamic acid, sodium caseinate, citrate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, monoammonian glutamate, maltodextrin, soy protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and autolyzed yeast extract. (Does any of that sound even remotely natural to you?!)

As the names rolled across the screen, one all-too familiar ingredient immediately caught my eye – soy protein isolate, also known as the second ingredient in the Clif bars that I’ve consumed on a regular basis for years now. I quickly looked up soy protein isolate online, only to find that it’s a highly refined form of soy protein made from soybean meal that has been dehulled and defatted. (And let’s not forget to mention that soybeans are one of the most genetically modified foods in our country). I felt cheated, but mostly foolish for not realizing this sooner. The part of Clif’s packaging that says, “contains 70% organic ingredients” had me coerced into thinking it was a healthy bar (minus the rather high sugar content of course) and for that reason reached for them as pre-workout fuel and quick breakfasts quite regularly.

I then decided to take a look at the ingredients on my Luna bars since they’re a Clif-owned product. Of course I found the same exact thing: soy protein isolate (but listed as the first ingredient instead of the second). Since I was on a roll, I grabbed for my chocolate whey protein powder that I frequently buy at Whole Foods. What do you know – whey protein isolate, hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, ion-exchanged whey protein isolate – all right before my eyes.

Now that I’ve been enlightened with this information, I’ve decided that these products no longer have any business with me, that’s for sure. (You hear that Clif? We’re done. Over. I’m leaving your processed protein ass for KIND and LÄRABAR. So sayonara sucker!)

But let’s take a step back for a minute. Although I realize I am sounding rather harsh, let it be known that I am not saying Clif is a “bad company” and one to completely avoid by any means (they do use 70% organic ingredients in many of their bars after all, and they even make a few 100% organic bars such as ‘Clif Kid Zbar’ and ‘Clif Kit’s Organic Fruit + Nut bar.’ They also strive to help the environment which is great), but what I’m really trying to get at here is this: KNOW what you are putting into your body – don’t let things like “contains organic ingredients” fool you like I did, or think that just because you bought it from a co-op or health foods store that you’re automatically in the clear. If you aren’t sure what an ingredient is or if it sounds fishy, look it up or better yet – simply pass on that item. All in all, the more clean, whole and organic foods you are eating (mostly ones that don’t require an ingredients list at all) – the healthier you will be and the less scrutinizing of ingredients you will have to do — win, win!

Are (or were) you a Clif bar fan?

earth day deals.

Earth Day is Monday and here are some fab freebies in honor of the occasion worth taking advantage of!

• Target (4/21) – 1.5 million FREE reusable bags will be given away — 250,000 of which will also contain samples of sustainable products + coupons.
• Caribou Coffee (4/22) – Bring in your reusable mug for a FREE fill of coffee.
• MOKA Coffee (4/22) – $1 off any drink.
• Mrs. Meyers Clean Day (4/19-4/22) – FREE shipping on all orders.
• Sephora (4/22) – Receive a FREE full-size Origins moisturizer when you trade in an old skin care product/empty bottle.
• Pottery Barn Kids (4/20-4/22) – Stop into the store to receive a FREE packet of seeds.
• The Body Shop (4/22) – Receive a FREE ‘Earth Lovers’ shower gel with any purchase in-store or online.

Also, be sure to green up your act with my post featuring 10 easy ways to go green or Sonnet’s post on 8 simple ways to live greener!

get the look: dotted denim.

If you glance around any clothing store right now you will likely see a plethora of patterned pants. 80s revival anyone? Personally, I am not quite sold on the floral or tribal options just yet, however, I will admit I’m a fan of the polka-dotted denim look! Here I’ve tracked down six choices in a variety of price ranges. How much are you willing to spend on the trend?

Shopbop – $190 // Madewell – $190

J.Crew - $98 // Gap – $69.95

Target – $24.99 // Forever21 – $22.80

To get the biggest bang for your buck there is always the option to simply transform a pair of pants you already own with this tutorial by A Pretty Penny! Now that’s what I’m talking about - reduce, reuse, recycle!

What are your thoughts on the dotted denim look and printed pants trend – are you willing to give it a go or will you be sticking with your solid slacks this season?

healthy living: knowledge is power.

Allow me to stand on my soapbox today! As my eagerness for learning more about eco-friendly and healthy living over the years has grown (and only continues to do so), I’m constantly trying to absorb as much information as I can in order to expand my knowledge on the subject. The variety of resources I came across this past week spotlighting America’s food industry proved to be a wealth of information and nothing short of powerful, eye-opening and definitely share-worthy! Okay, before you click away, hear me out here — even if you’re not necessarily crazed about the idea of “healthy living” or giving up your fast food Fridays, the resources I’m sharing contain basic information the general public should know about (and can only benefit from), regardless of your concern for the topic. Keep in mind that knowledge is power and ignorance is bliss so don’t be in the dark — educate yourself! The more you know about healthy living, the larger impact you can have in bettering your lifestyle and those you care about.

Take the time to check out the following links and you may very well feel baffled from what you’ll learn, but also enlightened and empowered.

Short video: How the food industry influences you and your kids // a 15-min. clip featuring a revealing speech by author and activist Anna Lappe in regards to the food industry’s marketing tactics/ploys specifically geared toward children. From snack packaging to school supplies, the ways in which companies such as Coca-Cola are targeting children and deceiving them into consuming (and getting hooked on) their product is just down right disturbing. For anyone who has a child in their life that they care about, this clip is well-worth your time!

Documentary: Forks Over Knives // a thought-provoking documentary on the negatively profound effects of the average American diet. The video exclusively examines the claim that most, if not all, degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled and even reversed by rejecting animal-based and processed foods. Clean eating as the answer to cancer prevention and obesity? Yes, that’s exactly right! It’s so simple, yet comes as such a complex concept for people to comprehend. This is hands-down the best documentary I’ve watched and has had the most lasting influence on me. In my opinion, it even trumps Food Inc., Vegucated, and Food Matters, which is not to say those aren’t excellent documentaries because they are also worth checking out!

Public figure: Birke Baehr // It’s people like Birke, a 14-year-old organic food crusader, who show promise for our future generations. This early activists’ self-taught knowledge of how today’s food industry is so wrongly effecting Americans has led him to boycott fast food chains and GMO-laden food in favor of eating and promoting local + organically grown. If one kid can say no to McDonald’s and soda laced with loads of high fructose corn syrup, then surely there is hope for the rest of America! Watch just one of Birke’s speeches and you will be instantly captivated and inspired.

Coming soon: GMO OMG // this documentary (currently underway) highlights the corporate ‘hijacking’ of our global food system through GMOs – genetically modified organisms. As our government is being bought out by giant food corps, how can we really know what is safe to consume anymore? Is it even possible to get back to the days of “real” food where we don’t have to scrutinize ingredients? For anyone who has been outraged by the recent Monsanto Protection Act signed by President Obama, definitely add this to your must-watch list!

The ‘Food Babe’ blog is also an excellent source of information that I recently wrote about here.

If you made it through this whole post, I applaud you! I would truly love to receive your personal feedback on what I’ve shared today. (I’d love even more if you’d share this post with others!) Have a wonderful and healthy week! :-)