REDBOOK

Howdy folks!

The vegetarianism is going grand. Of course it's only been 2 days, but I am optimistic :)

REDBOOK:

I don't read it. It's something I tend to see on a coffee table at my great aunt's house, in a stack with other magazines I would never buy. However, Kathryn and I splurged when we saw that Alicia Silverstone was one of the women on the front cover.

I know. You must be thinking: 'who cares?' but, I will have you know, Miss Silverstone is making a name for herself that goes far beyond whatsherface in Clueless.

That's right. She not only supports and lives a green lifestyle, but she also has a new book coming out called "The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight,and Saving the Planet".

From the article: "The book offers vegan recipes, medical info about the pros and cons of different foods, and handy tips on eco-conscientious living."

Click here to read the whole article online. [Which we should have done instead of buying the whole freakin magazine]

It's always nice to hear about stars who aren't jet-setting everyday, throwing dollar bills everywhere, and getting drunk at high priced bars every night. Right?

Yay Alicia!

Pre-Order it here if ya want. I did!

Love.

FEN

Veggie

Okay, so I never thought I would do this, but Kathryn and I have decided to go vegetarian for one month. We started today. Kathryn has done this before and she says it is easy but I really love chicken, beef, pork--you name it, I like it!

I can remember a time when I would barrage vegetarians with questions like (in a super attitudey tone, I'm sure) "Why on earth would you not eat meat?". Seriously. I didn't get it. So now I get to respond to people who ask me attitudey questions about my new-found, month-long vegetarianism.

Here it is:

-The meat that is sold in corporate grocery stores is pumped full of hormones. The animals are not treated well and their diets consist primarily of corn. Cows are not supposed to eat corn. Just a heads up. After seeing Food, Inc. I don't think I can ever look at packaged meat the same way again.

-The meat that is served at restaurants is unfortunately treated the same way. So, when you order Filet Mignon (sp?) from that snazzy joint down the street, it's probably still fed corn and hormones and treated poorly. Ask your servers if the meat you are ordering is GRASS FED and ask if they know if they're full of yucky hormones. They have to tell you. And by you asking, you are putting it out there that it's what the people want. And, I'm telling you: local and fresh is ALWAYS much tastier--so it is definitely what you want. [Also: If you love salmon you can ask if it is farm raised. If it is, you don't want it.]

-Kathryn and I want to get out of the habit of eating meat and out of the habit of ordering it for those reasons. Hence, the month-long challenge. By the end of the month we will be well-practiced in NOT ordering unidentified meat--on a whim.

YAY!

Wish us luck. You wanna join us in the challenge? Let us know! Start tomorrow!

Here is the link to FOOD, INC.

SEE IT!

Love yous,

FEN

Homemade Toothpaste and klean kanteen

Ok, to begin...

The Regina Spektor concert was great. I mean really, really great. I would marry her in a millisecond. There's just something about her. If you don't know her, check her out:

http://www.reginaspektor.com

First order of business: Homemade Toothpaste

Kathryn and I discovered that the toothpastes in stores (even the ones marked Organic) are full of strange ingredients that we can't pronounce. Not to mention, the tubes are impossible to recycle (although the aluminum TOM'S of Maine do--you can even send them in and they will recycle them for you) and may also contain the harmful compound Bisphenol A (BPA).

[This BPA stuff is NO good and it is found in many of our plastics. I will post soon on why converting to glass only is so beneficial.]

Here's a link about the TOMS recycling:

http://www.fakeplasticfish.com/2009/01/bpa-in-your-toothpaste-recycling-tubes.html

Here's the Wiki link to Bisphenol A:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A


Kathryn and Fen's Homemade Toothpaste Ingredients:

-(Organic) Baking Soda (we keep this is a ball jar)

-(Organic) Sea Salt

-(Organic) Vegetable Glycerin

-(Organic) Peppermint Essential Oil

-Water


[We bought all of these ingredients (except the water!) at Rhubarb's Market (1521 Lititz Pike Lancaster, PA 17601--(717) 390-3001) but you can get them other places and they don't have to be organic.]


The recipe is not exact.


-The baking soda will be the main ingredient. It will be what you want the most of.

-I only put in a pinch or two of sea salt in maybe a couple ounces of baking soda.

-The glycerin is for giving it some sweetness-you can just play around with how much you like. (Just don't put more of that then the baking soda)

-Couple drops of oil (Kathryn likes more then a couple drops)

-Add water to get it to be a paste-like consistency

-We keep our batches in a baby (glass) jar.

You just dab your toothpaste in and brush! Makes your teeth super white too. It may be a little weird to transition, but there is something pretty great about making your own healthy toothpaste.

Let me know if you have questions.


Second order of Business: klean kanteen

Got my first one yesterday. So cool. (BPA free) If you get one at EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) at the mall, you can use a student ID to get 3$-4$ off.

Here is their website:

http://www.kleankanteen.com

Their water bottles are eco-friendly and 100% recyclable!

Oh happy day,

FEN

First One

HI EVERYONE!

ooh too many capitals.

Wow, it's pretty weird writing to a mysterious, unknown audience; so, if you're out there, comment and play! I'd really love to hear what you all are doing/thinking about.

I wanted to start off, in my very first post, by highlighting the three main reasons why I am excited about Quarterlifechange.

Ok here it goes:

1. I like the words blog, blogging, blogger...bloggee(?), and now i have an excuse to use them in everyday speech.

2. Fen and I have successfully created a vague enough topic(*refer to subtitle) that we can basically discuss almost anything that we (the "we" includes you five subscribers) find worth talking about.

3. Finally, at the heart of it, this is a place to talk about change. From little changes, like making your own toothpaste, to bigger changes like organizing a student coalition to end homelessness. Anything goes and moreover, I truly believe it all matters. What's not exciting about that?

So thanks internet-not only for making the word blog, but for creating a space where we can discuss the things that we care about.

Yay!

Kathryn

Toothpaste Delay

So, I said I would give you the AWESOME toothpaste recipe today--but--I am rushing off to a Regina Spektor concert now, so you will have to wait one more day to brush your teeth :) It's worth the wait!

Love and other happy things,

FEN

UNO

So, I feel a little weird because this is the very first post. It is this post that will possibly pave the way for the rest of this cute little blog.

Instead of going on about this, I guess I should just dive into something I've been dying to tell you all. Even though I don't really know who "you all" are.

First thing:

I love Roller Derby. I went to watch my very first "bout" this last Saturday and I am completely hooked. How can you not be? I mean these girls are bad ass. They zip around the floor in these superb shiny outfits, (on roller skates!) and race each other for points.

Ok, ok...it's so much more then that--but really that's enough for me. It's just this beautiful sport that empowers women to kick some major ass.

Speaking of, I think now is a good time to plug the Lancaster Dutchland Rollers girls:

The next HOME bout is on October 10th at Overlook Activities Center. Come. Just do it. You will enjoy supporting these girls. Tickets are 10$ if you buy em' in advance. 12$ at the door. Bring some cash because you'll want a T-Shirt. I'm telling you.

Next order of business:

So, we've got this new blog.

Really, we just wanted to create a space where we can talk about all that stuff up in the "Welcome Message" on the right. And we're also interested in networking with some awesome people--eventually. Right now we realize we may only have 5 fans by the end of the month. Haha. If that's the case, then the networking idea may not be very effective. Who knows though. Maybe those 5 people will be the "chosen ones" or something. I donno.

Kathryn and I really do believe in the power of grassroots projects and truly value the opinions and ideas of others. So, share. Oh do share--or it will get lonely here at QLC (Quarterlife Change).

Tomorrow I will give you my recipe for making your own homemade toothpaste. I know. Riveting. But, after you're done making fun of me, go take a walk to your bathroom. Open your {insert whatever you keep your toothpaste in} and pick up that tube. Flip it over. Look at alllll those ingredients. And I'm sorry TOMS toothpaste is not a lot better. Still got the junk.

Do you really want that on your teeth?
Do you even know what that stuff is? (Who does?)
Can you recycle that tube?

I'm just saying...

Stay tuned folks.

I think you're neat.

FEN