Mad Cat Capsule: Nostalgic Clothes

I’ve started pulling from my stockpile of clothes, shopping my storage if you will, to prep for changing over my Winter Capsule Wardrobe to Spring.

Whenever I do this, I end up with a few piles. One to go into my capsule, one to stay in storage, one to donate or get rid of, and one that are clothes that I prob won’t every wear again, but don’t want to part with. Maybe my size has changed and they don’t fit me any more, maybe they are no longer my style.

But these items have a sentimental value to me and I want to have them as keepsakes. I’m not a minimalist, I’m not trying to get rid of all my objects, so it doesn’t bother me to keep a small bin of clothes I love but aren’t useful. I like to look thru this in from time to time like one would a photo album.

My favorite flannel that no longer fits, a dashiki that I could never figure out how to wear but I love, and a dead stock sweater from the 70s that I thrifted when I was a teenager.

One of the main reasons people keep clothes that they no longer wear is bc these items remind them of a time or place, a feeling, or a version of their former selves. Most people in the minimalist, capsule, sustainable wardrobe community would say to let go of these pieces, but I don’t think that’s necessary as long as you keep them in a mindful way.

I dearly loved these studded jeans, one of my first ever purchases from Target when they were a new store.

Keeping hoards of clothing that you don’t want to part with with no thought is not wise. But keeping a select memory box of curated items can be a time capsule. (No pun intended). Just like any other part of your wardrobe and indeed all your possessions, it’s important to go thru these items from time to time, not let them rot in a forgotten box or bin.

Do you keep a fashion time capsule? What are some of the old clothing you can’t bare to part with? Is there a story attached to them?

Magical Herbalism

One of my goals in 2020 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

I borrowed Magical Herbalism by Scott Cunningham from my BFF when I visited Arizona in December and I’ve been slowly reading it ever since.

If you are new to practicing magic, or you are a long time witch, this guide is vital for your library. With instructions for creating magical objects and alters, simple spells and detailed info on many many herbs, this book will help you on your way.

Although this is an instruction manual, filled with very practical information about herbs and how they are used in magical practice, this book can be read by all. The style is very simple and easy to read and digest. If you are a magic practitioner you will find the beginner’s guide here, but if you are not a witch at all, this book is still very interesting. One might not choose to make a magic knife with which to perform spells, but the underlying themes of mindfulness, purposefulness, sustainability, and taking great care to never do harm, should be heeded by all. Besides having instructions for spell and magical objects, this book is mostly a guide to picking and using wild and cultivated herbs, flowers and plants. It has a long and thorough list of herbs and plants, their uses in magic, the element they are associated with, if they are edible or not and more. I felt very inspired each time I picked up this book, not so much to practice magic, but to practice cultivation, foraging, preservation, nature knowledge, mindfulness, and slow living. I also like that this was an instruction book not a narrative, which meant it was easy to read while reading other books as well, or in bits and pieces. I do think that this is a beginners guide, but it may contain items or terms that you have never heard of or used. This is the kind of book that sparks you to investigate further. I would highly recommend this book for those interested in magic, practicing witches, gardeners, and plant lovers.

Have you read any instructive books on obscure subjects? What is your favorite?

6 More Months Of Zero Waste: Bathroom Makeover in March

If you’ve been following along with our 6 more months to zero waste series, or if you have been on a zero waste journey of your own, by now you’ve made a lot of changes. Perhaps they were one huge step and you jumped right in, but if you are like me, you’re taking many small steps to get where you want to be.

By now, you may have made some zero waste swaps around the house but now it’s time to make a full room switch. I think the bathroom is the easiest place to do this bc, for most, this is a finite space. As with most zero waste switches, the first step here is to take a look at what you consume and see where you can make more sustainable swaps. Start by taking a look at every product and item you normally use in your bathroom.

Some people have only a few items in the bathroom, some have many many items. Let’s just take a look at a few things that anyone might have and the swaps I have tried for an example. We’ll assume you’ve already done away with liquid soap, paper towels and such. Here are some more intermediate swaps. These are only some of the potential swaps. If you have more ideas, please share them in the comments.

Safety razors are a great sustainable bathroom switch.

 Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Floss
All three of these conventional items are packed in plastic which usually can’t be recycled. Many people replace a plastic tooth brush with a bamboo one, but I don’t like them. I prefer Preserve toothbrushes which can be recycled and are made from recycled yogurt cups. They can be sent in or dropped off at drop boxes in certain grocery shops.
One of the most popular toothpaste swaps are toothpaste tablets, which are a great alternative. Also, there are many homemade toothpaste recipes. If you make your own toothpaste, share the recipe here.
I’ve currently been using a cotton floss in a glass jar. I bought it when I visited The Good Fill in Nashville. This is one of many floss alternative.

Toilet Paper
There are several ways to swap out the waste made by toilet paper. This waste is not only what we flush down the loo, but also what is created in the creation of the paper, it’s packaging, etc… In this area, I have not been too experimental. I buy my TP in bulk, wrapped only in paper, in a cardboard box, it’s made from recycled paper. Similar here. Bidets are a common alternative and apparently easy to install and use. Family cloth might be the most sustainable, but also possibly the ickiest swap.

Shampoo and Conditioner
Shampoo bars are so great! Long lasting, supporting small business, natural, vegan, and more, these are my favorite alternative. They take a little getting used to. They are a little more work but once you get the hang of it, they are easy. You all know I love Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Co for shampoo. For conditioner, I do like a conditioner bar, but I find apple cider vinegar is best. If you just can’t quit liquid hair cleaners, there are many refill varieties if you have a store near you. (I just discovered one near me, Currant, in Red Bank, NJ). There also exist refill programs thru the mail.

Deodorant
The switch over to cream deodorant is pretty seamless. As with a shampoo bar, it takes a few applications, but you’ll get it. There are many cream deodorants that come in glass or reusable containers. This is also a good DIY project. I have tried a few, but Meow Meow Tweet is always good!

Hand Lotion
For this swap, I prefer a balm that comes in a metal tin or glass jar. Some use various oils, instead of creams. There are many ways to keep your hands moist and be plastic free!

A natural loofa is made from a gourd! Sustainable scrubbing!

Makeup might be the biggest switch over category in most people bathrooms, but I don’t wear it! I searched around and found quite a few good zero waste, vegan options, even some refillable. If makeup is a stable for you, there are options! There are also a lot of great DIY tutorials.

As you see what you regularly use and research what swaps you will make, remember not to throw away what you currently have!! It’s very important in the zero waste movement to use up what we already have as this is the most sustainable practice.

What are some other swaps you have made or can think of to make?

By the end of the month, try to have swapped out (or have a swap ready for) every item in your bathroom. Many small businesses that sell zero waste swaps need our support, so when we are ready we can make some of those purchases thru them.

Just bc we are going to be inside for the next few weeks, or months, doesn’t mean that we should just sit on our hands. This is a perfect time to do various audits around the house, so let’s start with the bathroom! Share your experiences to help others!

In 2019 we started a monthly journey towards a more zero waste lifestyle. Each month you can follow along. Here is what we have done so far:

January 2019 - Trash Audit
We separated and looked our trash to see what we are throwing away and what we can reduce.
February 2019- Declutter Everything
We went thru what we have to declutter and reduce.
March 2019- Switch to Paper
This month we moved to paper to get one step closer to reusables.
April 2019- Compost
Composting is an easy way to reduce food waste and prevent it from reaching the landfill.
May 2019- Meatless Monday
One of the best ways to improve the environment is to stop eating factory farmed meat and industrial fish. Small steps lead to big change so this month we gave up meat (or dairy or fish) for at least one day.
June 2019- No Bottled Water
We gave up bottled water as an avenue to give up more disposable plastic in Plastic Free July.
July 2019 - Plastic Free July!
Go plastic free this month!

In late 2019, we continued our journey to becoming more zero waste. The current list has changed a little since the beginning. See the list below to follow our progress:
November - Zero Waste Kit
We created a zero waste kit to help us be more zero waste in our day to day life.
December - No Gifts
We took Dec to give no gifts and get no gifts.
January - Clothing and Fast Fashion
This month we explored what fast fashion is, and how we can stop buying it forever.
February - Use Mass Transit
March- Bathroom Make-over
April - Grow Your Own Food

On My Mind On Friday Morning

I loved this UFO abduction photo essay. “I prefer the term ‘experience’. As in, ‘I’ve just had an little alien experience…’, as opposed to ‘I’ve just been abducted!!’”*
I had never really heard of J Steward Johnson before returning to NJ and visiting Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ. I found GFS to be a pretty surreal place and have wanted to revisit it. Johnson passed away this month.
This was an interesting article about Warhol’s Paintings of drag queens of color.
Here are some good household decluttering challenges to try.
Last week, we did some more leash testing with Irving. He didn’t try to bolt like the first time we took him out. But ever since he’s been more apt to try and run out the door! This will be a slow training, but I hope it eventually works! He looks so handsome in his red leash.

*From Jose Chung’s From Outer Space, X-Files, Season Three

Bullet Journal Check In: March - More Full Pages

In February I started a new Bullet Journal. Since I always use what ever book I have on hand, most of them thrifted, or found, all my Bullet Journals end up looking quite different. I thought it might be interesting to record some full pages from my BuJo’s latest iteration.

Picture This in Large and Friendly Letters

Don’t Panic.

The current state of the world is a perfect time to utilize the simple living skills we have been working on. Reducing waste and conserving resources will be very key in the coming weeks and months. Food preservation, minimum living, community mindedness, practical skills, crafts, gardening, homesteading, shunning conventional products and shopping, shopping small business and local, using traditional medicines and remedies when possible and practical, foraging, home schooling, self education, nature observations, meditation, mindfulness, caring for our animals and family and ourselves will be especially important and we have already started on that journey.

Since we are already mastering a slow, low impact, sustainable, low waste, mindful, lifestyle this is also a good opportunity to show others how to live this way and to support them in their journeys. And who knows, this might be a tuning point as people realize all the benefits of this lifestyle. The change we see here, might make the world a better place. At least we can hope.

Zero Waste Recipe: Vegan Baked "Home Fries"

This recipe might be a no brainer for most people but it’s one I find myself going back to every month or so.

One of my main goals in creating a more zero waste lifestyle was to reduce food waste. I would often buy lots of food, end up not eating much of it and throw it away bc it had gone bad. A continuing challenge for myself is to come up with easy recipes to utilize any veg that might be on the turn.

This recipe is perfect to use those potatoes you forgot about and are starting to grow, the spices that are languishing on your spice rack.

Ingredients:
Potatoes (as many as you have to use up or want to make)
Olive oil (enough to coat potatoes)
Spices (I used salt, pepper, dried dill, garlic powder, and onion powder)

Equipment:
Knife
Sheet pan
Wooden Spoon (or just use your hands)
Fork or tongs for turning.

Skin potatoes and cut into bite sized chunks. If you’re using fresh tubers, you can leave the skins on, but when I make this recipe, my potatoes are usually growing eyes and roots, or have gone green, so the skins have to go. put on sheet pan and add any spices you want to use. Drizzle with olive oil. Combine all with wooden spoon until all the potatoes are well coated in oil and spices. I do this right on the sheet pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven. Turn only after the potatoes have cooked well on the first side has crisped up and will turn without sticking. This is the key to super crispy and delicious potatoes! Turn once more and cook until edges/sides are crispy and potatoes are fork tender, about 30-40 min. Let cool enough to eat and serve!

Some notes:
- These potatoes are great as traditional home fries, as a side, on salads, or for snacking, and can be served hot or cold.
- They last about a week kept in the fridge. To reheat, toss in a frying pan until warmed thru.
- They won’t ever be as crispy after the first day, tho, so I suggest eating asap.
- I know this recipe also works for sweet potatoes, and I’m sure it would work for other hearty potato like veg (rutabaga, etc…) as well. If you try it with more exotic veg, let me know!

Using up veg that might otherwise end up in the garbage makes this recipe perfect for zero waste. It’s also a great way to use up dried spices that are past their prime. Remember to get your potatoes loose, and your spices in glass jars or bulk. Buy olive oil in glass or bulk.

This is a great meal prep element as it can be used in many days and with many meals. If you’re like me, you might eat them all the minute they cool down, tho. That crisp is irresistible!

On My Mind on Friday Morning

I was super excited to see you could rent a night in Lucy the Elephant! It seems that the AirB&B listing is already down, though? I wonder if they booked up that quick?
There’s been a trend of bread making in my circles. I am trying to find time to make this focaccia recipe from NYT.
A famous and beloved cat is a good way to get me to want to visit a city, or just about anywhere.
Why are there no photos other the inside of this perfectly preserved diner?
It’s a little early for us, but I am thrilled to be seeing buds and flower!!

Mad Cat Garden | February

February saw little action in the garden, but lucky for us, the groundhog predicted an early spring!! We have seen some buds springing up and the days started getting longer and warmer. Our blueberry bushes all started showing early signs of growth.

This wild kitchen onion I planted seems to be doing really well. I’m excited to plant more if I have onions past their prime, and to try it with potatoes too. I don’t know the appropriate time to dig this fella up to see how oniony it has gotten, but we will eventually need to move it, I think.

Our compost has been too cold to turn, but I’m hoping in the coming months we can turn it and utilize some of the good earth it’s produced for our beds.

Next to the compost, someone has been using this little throughway.

Feb was still too chilly for fires, but I’m hoping in the early spring we can get out to arrange the wood pile and have a few.

Most of our early propagated plants died inside. But our jackfruit is going strong!

As expected, February didn’t see too much movement in the garden. March might be a totally different story. What did your winter garden look like?

6 More Months of Zero Waste: Use Mass Transit in February

In 2017 I started my zero waste journey. Zero Waste is the goal, mindful practice is the action. When I use the term Zero Waste, that is my ultimate goal, but Less Waste would be a more accurate description of my evolving lifestyle.

In 2019 we started a monthly journey towards a more zero waste lifestyle. Each month you can follow along. Here is what we have done so far:
January 2019 - Trash Audit
We separated and looked our trash to see what we are throwing away and what we can reduce.
February 2019- Declutter Everything
We went thru what we have to declutter and reduce.
March 2019- Switch to Paper
This month we moved to paper to get one step closer to reusables.
April 2019- Compost
Composting is an easy way to reduce food waste and prevent it from reaching the landfill.
May 2019- Meatless Monday
One of the best ways to improve the environment is to stop eating factory farmed meat and industrial fish. Small steps lead to big change so this month we gave up meat (or dairy or fish) for at least one day.
June 2019- No Bottled Water
We gave up bottled water as an avenue to give up more disposable plastic in Plastic Free July.
July 2019 - Plastic Free July!
Go plastic free this month!

In late 2019, we continued our journey to becoming more zero waste. The current list has changed a little since the beginning. See the list below to follow our progress:
November - Zero Waste Kit
We created a zero waste kit to help us be more zero waste in our day to day life.
December - No Gifts
We took Dec to give no gifts and get no gifts.
January - Clothing and Fast Fashion
This month we explored what fast fashion is, and how we can stop buying it forever.
February - Mass Transit
March- Bathroom Make-over
April - Grow Your Own Food

As with all the zero waste switches we have made, changing how we get from place to place begins with a mindset shift. We use our cars every day for our every whim and most of don’t think much about it. We create waste and pollution by prioritizing our own convenience. We must change to be mindful of the impact that is incured every time we drive. Once we assess when and why we drive we can formulate ways to change this behavior. This will look different for each person.
Like many of the ways we can reduce waste, we must look at our consumption. The first step is to take a driving audit. When do you use your car most? What are you doing with it? Is there a way to lessen your usage? Are there times that you drive when you could use public transit, take a car pool, or walk? Take note in your phone, or write your findings down.

Mine would look something like this:

9 hours is probably less than many people drive but to me, that seems like a crazy amount!! Since I wrote this off of memory, I will take some time to do an actual audit next and see how my actual driving looks compared. After that, I will see where I can cut down.

Once we know why and how much we are driving we can see where we can cut down. Perhaps you can carpool to work or take mass transit, cut your shopping trips down to once a week, or take one day per week to not use your car at all. The more you think about your car use, the more you will be aware and mindful of when you can reduce your usage.

Like all our swaps, getting out of the habit of using your car won’t happen all at once. We can take small steps that will lead to a big change. Try using public transit a few times a month to start or work from home if possible. Coordinate with family and friends who live near by for grocery shopping. Set up days where you can walk instead of take the car. Each little step will help us pare down to what is essential and important, even if we cannot eliminate using the car completely.

Hopefully by reducing our car usage, we will see an improvement on our impact on the environment, on the waste we create, but also on our the enrichment of our lives. Living a more local and less far flung lifestyle, more slow and mindful lifestyle, might have a great effect on our communities and our lives.

**Editor’s note: Because of an unexpected blog break in February, this article is quite late. We apologize for any confusion. Keep a look out for March’s 6 More Months of Zero Waste coming soon.

On My Mind on Friday Monring

Name facts about 14 Flowers. Who else is ready for Spring flowers?
Interesting article about this pro and cons of milks.
Here’s a good little article about James Ellroy writing the Black Dahlia. I recently listened to his Desert Island Discs.
A good list of plastic free options in Brooklyn.

2020 Monthly Goals | February Recap and March Goals

I feel that I did extremely well in March; Only not accomplishing one goal, which was the hardest one for me.

Beach at least four times
We ended January at the beach, I’d like to make sure I get there in Feb, too.
We made it to the beach exactly four times this month. I want to keep this as one of my monthly goals, keep it in my routines.

Take a yoga class
I’ve never taken one before and it seems intimidating as hell.
This was the goal I couldn’t finish. It’s too scary still. We will see if this goal makes it’s way back around for me.

Watercolor
I’ve been thinking about painting a lot lately. It’s a good month to stop thinking and start doing.
I certainly didn’t paint every day, but I did manage to paint a bit and that’s a start.

Dance more
February always puts me in the mood for dancing. I’d like to dance more at home, listen to more music, play more records, and I’d like to get out to dance once this month.
I did listen to more records this month with this goal in mind and I did dance more. I Would like to make this more of a routine, as well. I also discovered, at a friends encouragement, podcasts this month and I have been mildly obsessed.

Stay warm - stay slow
In January, I tried to have a slow mindset. I want to make sure that I continue this practice. I also want to stay warm, both in body and spirit.
I think I did achieve this goal in Feb. It is one of the hardest months of the year for me, but I tried to keep a balance between warmth and depression. Some moments depression won out, but in those moments, I tried to remember to slow down, and reach out for help.

Now on to March. I feel that in many ways, March is time to get down to business. I want to carry over a few routines from the previous months: I want to stay slow and make sure to be mindful, read everyday, see at least two friends, dance more, and go to the beach at least four times in the month. And here are the big goals to accomplish this March.

Eat vegan once a week
I’ve tried this one before, but it’s something I have to more purposefully move towards.

Schedule two docs
I have to take my health more seriously and I need to do those things that I really don’t want to do and continually put off. Baby steps.

Schedule two trips
This balances out the above, but If I don’t plan to schedule trips, I don’t take them. I have a lot of ideas where I want to go and have narrow it down and book them up. My short list includes NOLA, Cleveland, Pittsburg, Bermuda, Beacon NY…

Go to Brooklyn
I’ve been saying I would go back for a visit since November 2019, it’s time to actually go.

Write two letters
As soon as I thought of this goal, I received a letter in the mail and I knew I had made a good choice.

How did you do on your February goals? Did you move any that were not completed to March?

February Plant Update

February’s weather was up and down. We had very cold days, as you would expect in Feb, but we also had days in the 50s. We tried to get out and about and make some plant observations. We went to a new park, Hartshorn Woods, which was a treat in it’s Winter glory. But we also saw some signs of Spring.

Reeds in Hartshorn Woods.

A Winter beach.

Intense green and red.

Our montauk daisies are always hoping for Spring.

I love cafes with tons of plants. It was nice to visit this one in Montclair, NJ.

We had a few beach days this month.

This beautiful visitor.

A night encounter.

These croci were very early this year…

…but that didn’t stop them.

A pretend jungle at the grocery store.

I worried this month, when I went to look back at my photos, that I would have nothing to show. In my mind, February was bleak, but in fact, Feb was full of plants, full of color and light. To me, reflecting back on the plants of the month reminds me to see the living joy all around us at any time of the year.

What were your plant observations this month?

February in Review

February can be the longest month, but this one went quite quickly. We had a chance to explore, visit friends and family, see #watchercats and take care of our furry family, but it was a bit of a whirlwind.

The weather was up and down this month. There were frigid days and days that bordered on spring time warmth. We tried to take advantage of the warmer days, and tried to hide out inside and keep up with our kitties on days that weren’t warm. Some #watchercats were out this month, but many were keeping out of sight and away from winter. There was a lot of work this month, but we also had time to take off and relax.

February can be a very tough month and I can tend to disregard it, wallow if you like. This Feb took a toll, but was balanced with extremely nice things as well. It’s March now and it’s time to kick into a higher gear.

On My Mind On Friday Morning

I love this look from and this photo essay about the best of Gaultier’s runway shows.
This sounds like a hotel that I would love to visit.
And here is a post office I want to visit.
I’ve become pretty obsessed with listening to Desert Island Discs.
Cute video and article about a rare lynx family spotting in Canada.

Something Nice: Found Skull

A neighborhood street in Asbury Park, NJ, is not where I usually expect to find a cat skull. But a few months ago, walking for breakfast, that is exactly what we found.

Pantone Color of the Year 2020: Classic Blue

Each year Pantone, the paint and color people, choose a color in December for the year ahead. They imbue these colors with ideas and ideals for the new year. I don't always agree with the choices but along with many in the quilting community, I like to ruminate on them a bit.

The Pantone color of the year for 2020 is Classic Blue.

Here is what they say about it:

“Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era… Imprinted in our psyches as a restful color, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge. Aiding concentration and bringing laser like clarity, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue re-centers our thoughts. A reflective blue tone, Classic Blue fosters resilience… As technology continues to race ahead of the human ability to process it all, it is easy to understand why we gravitate to colors that are honest and offer the promise of protection. Non-aggressive and easily relatable, the trusted PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue lends itself to relaxed interaction. Associated with the return of another day, this universal favorite is comfortably embraced.”

I’ve pondered Classic Blue for almost two months.

Generally I have a pretty quick response to the Color of the Year. Usually a negative one. I tend to vehemently disagree with the statement and mission that Pantone puts out. This year it took me much longer to decide how I feel.

My first thought is that I like this color. I’m often indifferent to the actual color of the Color of the Year. But Classic Blue is calming; it reminds we of the deepening blue of a late spring or early summer sky, cloudless and intense. The feeling you get when you’ve gone thru your whole day and for some reason you glance up, maybe a noise attracted your attention, maybe your in the middle of a memory and your head tilts up in thought, and there it is, a perfectly blue sky. And the feeling that the color inspires is so all encompassing, washing over your body, spirit and mind. It is uplifting, humbling, and expansive all at the same time. It may be, as Pantone suggests, a peaceful color, but it is at the same time a color that makes one think of the vastness of sky, ocean, and time, and how small your part in that expanse can be .

One tiny indistinguishable drop in an enormous endless bucket.

To me, this feeling is comfortable, re-centering, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility, just like Pantone intends. The idea that we are all the same, and all only a part of something far bigger and more important than the individual. This might not be exactly what Pantone meant, but to me this is the most relevant message to what’s happening in the world that Pantone has come up with in recent years. With world leaders making choices that strip away our rights, and divide us, with a shift to a “me me me” mentality, we need a reminder that everyone is connected and everyone needs to be able to relate to each other and put themselves in other people place. No one is special, no one is different, look at a stranger as you would look at yourself.

Overall, I really like classic blue and hope that Pantone, is right and this can be an awaken, centering, joining, strengthening year for all as a whole. That the larger community can leave the individual behind and come together to create better things.

What does Classic Blue make you think of or feel?

Zero Waste Recipe: Chickpea Salad

This recipe is so simple, it’s barely a recipe even, I always forget how good it is! It’s simple, can easily be made vegan, delicious and doesn’t try to be something it’s not. And it’s practically zero waste, of course.

If you like tuna, chicken, or egg salad, you’ll enjoy this dish.

Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas, or dried and soaked equivilant
1 medium to large carrot
1 small or 1/2 bigger red onion
1 to 2 stalks celery
mayo or vegan mayo
salt and pepper to taste

bread, crackers, rice cakes, lettuce wraps, or whatever you most like to eat your salad on.

Equipment:
bowl
fork or spoon

Drain and rinse chickpeas. Chop veggies in to preferred size (I like mine in a rough dice). Combine veggies, chickpeas and as mush mayo as you like in a bowl. I like my sandwich salad to not be too wet, or too dry. For 1 can of chick peas, I usually use 1 1/2 tablespoons. Make sure to mix well using a fork to help chop up the chickpeas. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve on your favorite bread.

Some notes:
- I usually eat mine on potatoes bread or rolls, as I love the contrast of the crunchy salad on soft bread.
- This is a great recipe to make vegan, and a good way to introduce simple vegan and zero waste food to those who are new to these ideas.
- This recipe can be used as a dip as well. Simply dice veggies very small and mash the chickpeas more when combining.

Using loose veggies and bulk or canned legumes make this recipe low waste. Making your own bread or crackers, or getting it from a local shop in your own bag would help even more.

This is a good simple dinner or lunch, great to take to work or school, and keeps well in the fridge for a few days for a snack. What are some of your easy go to recipes?

Please note, In my excitement, I ate the final product and neglected to take photo. When I make another batch I will add the finish product photos, here.

Update 3/30/19: Photos added.

Life Lately - Winter in Asbury Park

Winer is a hard time for me no matter where I am. Being in a beach town certainly eases that burden a bit. But only if I take advantage of it.

Here are sone things I love about life in the winter.
Fog.
Winter light on the beach.
Grapefruit.
Making time for friends, even if you have time for little else.
Cozy naps with cats.

I took an unexpected break from the blog this month. I needed it even though I didn’t know I needed it. I’m hoping that the break gave me a rest and I will come back renewed. This blog is something helps me to get thru Winter as well.

Have you taken a break this Winter? What have you done to recharge?

The Wench is Dead

One of my goals in 2020 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.

The Wench is Dead is the 8th book in the Inspector Morse novels by Colin Dexter, and the 8th that I have listen to read by Kevin Whately.

Morse’s bad habits catch up with him and he lands himself in hospital. Between ogling the nurses, and pestering Lewis to bring him some scotch, he discovers a murder mystery to solve from his bed.

When I read the synopsis of this short novel, I was pretty convinced that I was going to be disappointed. But it turns out that The Wench is Dead has been my favorite Inspector Morse book so far. The grand inspector, taken down by illness of his own devising, gives him a more human side. But even with feet of clay, he cannot ignore a murder, long thought solved. The way the mystery unfolds, both in a book retelling the crime and in Morse’s musings on it, is really compelling and his curiosity becomes yours. This novel has Dexter’s healthy dose of womanizing, lamenting old age, intellectual bravado, and over indulgence, but it frames it in a more accessible way than many of the previous novels. As always, Kevin Whately’s reading really adds to my enjoyment of these books. He played Morse’s sidekick in the BBC series and seems to have a unique take on the characters. Although I would not suggest people read this book first, but I would highly recommend this novel for those who like boat books, historical mysteries, and detective novels with a twist.